7 10 101 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/e44574b78a61de776d9c01bd9afdedc8.png d979de7ab7cbec23d24d45c38c665a3a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource The Muslim American Society's Katy Islamic Center marked its opening June 13 with a ribbon-cutting celebration at 1800 Baker Road. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/MAS-Islamic-Center-largest-mosque-in-Katy-to-6323464.php 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 Texas 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. TX_01 Location The location of the interview Katy, TX Year Year the case began. 2006 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 1800 Baker Road, Houston, TX 77094 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. Q76W+C8 Windsor Park Estates, Texas Proposed Project mosque and community center on 11-acre property in Katy, TX Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Katy Islamic Association (KIA) 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. The Katy Islamic Association (KIA) acquired an 11-acre property at 1800 Baker Rd in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood in Katy, located on the outskirts of Houston, TX. The association purchased the property for $1.1 million, intending to construct a mosque to serve the local community, which includes approximately 500 Muslim families. The planned complex was to feature a mosque, school, community center, and activity space, with potential future expansions including a health clinic and elderly living center. Public opinion regarding the Islamic Center was divided, with some expressing support and others voicing strong opposition. One adjacent property owner alleged that representatives of the Islamic Center insulted him, leading him to retaliate by holding weekly pig races during the Center’s prayer times. Despite the controversy, the Katy Islamic Association obtained the necessary building permits from local authorities and officially opened the mosque on June 13, 2015. The land acquisition for the Islamic Center in Katy quickly sparked opposition among local residents. One individual created a website with a domain name similar to that of the Katy Islamic Association, which included a tally of terrorist activities post-September 11, 2001, and disseminated misinformation about the Association and its planned mosque. A group called PLANK (Preserving the Lifestyles and Neighborhoods of Katy) emerged to articulate concerns that the mosque would lead to increased traffic, flooding, light and noise pollution, and a decline in property values. Additionally, some community members questioned potential ties between KIA and extremist groups, expressing safety concerns. Nonetheless, other residents defended KIA, apologizing for the community's opposition. Particularly notable was the reaction of neighbor Craig Baker, who, after a disagreement with an Islamic Center representative, relocated his pig pens adjacent to the Center's property and initiated weekly pig racing events on Fridays (Stanley, 2006, Dec 4). In response to these tensions, the Katy Islamic Association undertook significant efforts to address community concerns and foster harmony. They organized outreach events, inviting local residents to engage with the Center’s leadership and learn more about their mission. During these meetings, they addressed various concerns, such as adjusting the angle of floodlights that were disturbing a neighbor's sleep and removing the mosque’s gold dome from the architectural plans to accommodate aesthetic preferences (Miakti, 2019, March 12). Support from local Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim religious leaders further bolstered interfaith dialogue and unity (Eriksen, 2007, Jan 17). After sufficient fundraising and obtaining the necessary permits, KIA commenced construction of the Katy Islamic Center, which opened on June 6, 2015. By 2019, leaders from the Islamic Center reported significant improvements in community relations, highlighted by the strong support they received following a shooting incident at the mosque in January 2019 (Miakti, 2019, March 12). References <ul> <li>Eriksen, H. (2007, January 17). Interfaith group promotes tolerance in forumsKaty pig races near mosque site sparked meetings. Houston Chronicle (TX), p. 4. Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/116BB5D156553D48">NewsBank</a>.</li> <li>Mikati, M. (2019, March 12). Years after pig races, support for Katy mosque shows improved relations with community. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Years-after-pig-races-support-for-Katy-mosque-13680419.php">https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Years-after-pig-races-support-for-Katy-mosque-13680419.php</a>. </li> <li>Stanley, T. (2006, December 4). Baker Rd. residents take up sides on proposed mosque. Katy Times. Retrieved from <a href="http://katytimes.com/news/article_55c01a9d-cd4d-5729-b502-decd5b297d6e.html">http://katytimes.com/news/article_55c01a9d-cd4d-5729-b502-decd5b297d6e.html</a>. </li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. May 25, 2024 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Katy, TX Description An account of the resource The Katy Islamic Association (KIA) purchased an 11-acre property in Katy, TX, to build a mosque and community center, encountering mixed public reactions. Some locals opposed the project, citing concerns over traffic, property values, and potential extremist ties, while others supported KIA. Neighbor Craig Baker's hostile response included weekly pig races. KIA addressed community concerns through outreach events and adjustments to their plans, receiving support from interfaith leaders. The mosque opened in June 2015, and by 2019, community relations had improved significantly, as evidenced by local support after a shooting incident at the mosque. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bryce Bentinck Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Built Islamic Center Public Campaign Purpose-Built 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 Texas 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 Longview, TX 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 Texas 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 Lake Travis, TX https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/8514872f7e41076779ed06b08244fffd.jpeg 6854660aeffa09a8e16d6cefd2a9f8b1 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_04 Location The location of the interview Chantilly, VA Year Year the case began. 2012 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 4555 Ahmadiyya Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. VHJ7+5C Chantilly, Virginia Proposed Project mosque Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mosque Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Crimes Against Property (Vandalism) Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Built Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Ahmadiyah Muslim Community Mosque was under construction to serve the Ahmadiyah Muslim population in Chantilly, VA, and the surrounding area. Between 4:30 PM on January 29, 2012, and 8:30 AM on January 30, 2012, the mosque was vandalized. The following morning, construction crew members discovered extensive damage to the building's exterior, along with several empty containers of alcoholic beverages. In response to the incident, various groups and local leaders, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), issued public statements urging federal and local law enforcement to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime. The majority of the damage resulted from the perpetrators throwing stones and concrete bricks through the custom windows on the first floor, causing an estimated $60,000 in damages. The force of the impact also dislodged chunks of the exterior wall. Additionally, beer cans and other remnants of alcoholic beverages were found at and around the site. It appeared that the perpetrators did not attempt to enter the building. Despite these findings, the Fairfax Police Department reported no evidence suggesting that the act of vandalism constituted a hate crime. Nevertheless, both CAIR and the ADL issued statements advocating for the incident to be investigated as a possible hate crime. In the week following the incident, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) made the following statement: "The reported vandalism of a mosque in Chantilly, Virginia, is an affront to the American traditions which we hold dear. We must not remain silent when any house of worship is attacked like this on our soil” (Senator Webb Statement on Vandalism of Mosque, 2012, Jan 31). Similarly, Governor Tim Kaine condemned the vandalism, stating, "The act of vandalism that occurred at a mosque in Chantilly, Virginia, is inexcusable. Every American has the right to worship safely and peacefully, and we must take swift and appropriate action against any who threaten that right" (Tim Kaine Statement on Act of Vandalism Against at Chantilly Mosque, 2012, Feb 1). References <ul> <li>Senator Webb Statement on Vandalism of Mosque in Chantilly, Virginia. (2012, February 1). Targeted News Service (USA). Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/13CA7C7055B83228">NewsBank</a>.</li> <li>Tim Kaine Statement On Act Of Vandalism At Chantilly Mosque. (2012, February 1). Targeted News Service. Available from <a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:57F8-DVY1-DYG2-R384-00000-00&context=1516831">Nexix Uni</a>. </li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chantilly, VA Description An account of the resource The Ahmadiyah Muslim Community Mosque in Chantilly, VA, was vandalized overnight between January 29 and 30, 2012, resulting in extensive exterior damage and $60,000 in repair costs. Following the vandalism, CAIR and the ADL called for local and federal law enforcement to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime. Local law enforcement arrested at least one suspect but stated that there was no evidence of a hate crime being committed. 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 ADL Built CAIR Crimes Against Property Mosque Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Virginia Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) VA_06 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 Fredericksburg, VA 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 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. Date 1996 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 Clearwater, FL https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/ccffd73398cf829aaecf68fc4e3d941e.png d0f292d4fc81a139cd3800d715b03fcc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mississippi Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Date 1983 Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Ms_01 Location The location of the interview Starville, MS Year Year the case began. 1983 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 204 Herbert St, Starkville, MS 39759 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. F57X+P5 Starkville, Mississippi 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 Starkville, MS Description An account of the resource An Islamic Center was considering purchasing one of three parcels of land near the university on which to erect a student center. In preliminary discussions with city officials, what everyone agreed were legitimate concerns about parking and congestion emerged. Not wanting to appear uncooperative, the Center turned its attention to a fourth piece of land, suitable for its needs although it lay somewhat further from campus. The Planning Commission gave its okay after meeting with the group, and the Center purchased the land. The city’s building code inspector next approved the blueprints for the proposed structure. However, the city council turned the zoning request down, citing congestion. (Somewhat ironically, a house next door was used by Pentecostals.) The Islamic Center took the city to court, and while it lost at the district court was victorious on appeal. Had they not had the determination and the resources to go to court (all the while holding on to the property without being able to use it), though, the Center’s directors would have lost the opportunity to construct their facility. [Source: Waltman, J. L. (2011). Religious free exercise and contemporary American politics: The saga of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. New York : Continuum.] Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Built Lawsuit (non-RLUIPA) Mosque Planning and Zoning Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/12507b83d6b717da1d46463b2c9cbc77.png b3ca0f9f663810f95d9abf00f5472214 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. Date 2015 Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Sc_01 Location The location of the interview Rock Hill, SC Year Year the case began. 2015 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. Bird Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730 Proposed Project The Islamic Center of South Carolina originally proposed a project to construct a Muslim cemetery complex in Rock Hill, SC, in a residential area on Bird Street. However, the project's details are not specified, such as size and the number of plots. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://icscrockhill.org/">Islamic Center of South Carolina</a> (Masjid Al Saalam) Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Zoning Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications In 2015 the project was rejected by the zoning board of appeals. However, in 2016 the Zoning Board worked with the Muslim community to find a new plot for the cemetery, approving the project in November of that year. In 2017 the project began construction and is currently operational. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In September 2013, Masjid Al Saalam of the Islamic Center of South Carolina opened as the first mosque in Rock Hill, SC. Rock Hill is the fourth-largest city in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Two years later, the Islamic Center of South Carolina proposed building a cemetery to meet the needs of Rock Hill’s growing Muslim community. The project was spearheaded by Nazir Cheema, a decades-long Rock Hill resident. Cheema and other Rock Hill Muslims proposed the cemetery project on Bird Street near Anderson Road. However, the project required a zoning exception because the property was in an area zoned residential. The Muslim community petitioned the city for a variance utilizing the Complementary Use designation, which would allow for the property to be used as a religious site. Although city officials had supported the request, the Zoning Board of Appeals rejected the petition at its public meeting on July 21, 2015. The project was met with fierce public opposition at the July Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Rock Hill residents cited concerns about traffic, property value, neighborhood character, and Muslim burial practices. A resident was reported asking “what would happen behind a Muslim cemetery fence” (Dys, 2015, Jul 29). Opponents also presented a petition with 28 signatures to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Aware of potential legal challenges under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), the Zoning Board had conferred with legal counsel behind closed doors prior to the final vote. The application ultimately failed and was denied on a split vote (3-3). Questions about the board's decision remained because an exception for religious structures, schools, and playgrounds in residential zoning districts is frequently granted. For example, the city had previously approved a Catholic church’s columbarium in close proximity to the proposed site (ibid.). Following the denial, Nazir Cheema questioned the board’s decision saying, “What I heard here was that we are Americans and have rights, but we as Muslims do not have the right to bury our dead” (Dys, 2015, Jul 29). He added, “If this cemetery did not have the word Muslim, it would have been different. Are we not Americans? Do we not love America? Yes, we do” (ibid.). The Council on American-Islamic Relations followed the controversy and offered support in case the Muslim community decided to pursue a legal challenge. Despite their disappointment and unanswered questions about the board’s decision, the Muslim community decided not to appeal the board's decision to the Circuit Court. In 2016, city officials assisted the Muslim community in securing a different piece of property on Blackmon Street zoned for commercial use. The Islamic Society of South Carolina acquired the land and received approval for cemetery use without any public or administrative opposition (Dys, 2017, Jun 18). The new plot on Blackmon Street has woods on two sides and homes behind trees on two sides. Construction on the site began in 2017, and a fence was put between the homes and the cemetery as a courtesy to the neighbors. The Islamic Center of South Carolina currently maintains the cemetery. References <ul> <li>Dys, A. (2015, July 29). Rock Hill Muslims: Cemetery buried by city not dead yet. The Herald (Rock Hill, SC), p. 3A. Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/156E641D8D773848">NewsBank</a>. </li> <li>Dys, A. (2017, June 18). Neighbors, zoning no longer roadblocks. Rock Hill's first Muslim cemetery to open. The Herald (Rock Hill, SC), p. 1A. Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?%20p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1651CE763930A000">NewsBank</a><a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?"></a>. </li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rock Hill, SC Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sofia Fonti Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Description An account of the resource In 2015, city officials in Rock Hill, SC deny an exception for cemetery usage to the Islamic Society of South Carolina. The public hearing before the Zoning Board draws a standing-room crowd in opposition to the project, including prejudicial statements against Muslims and Islam. The Muslim community does not appeal or take legal action against the decision. In 2017, ISC purchases a different property zoned for cemetery use. Built Cemetery Denied Planning and Zoning Public Campaign Relocated https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/ed3b6381b5715fd7d64d22b0269cfe34.jpeg c0d32334d3d73efa5adbbf5f2b8638e0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource This collection documents 29 cases of public opposition towards American Muslim cemetery building projects from 2002 to 2023. Each case contains a narrative that describes its events, which was compiled through analyzing newspaper archives via NewsBank and NexisUni. The primary challenge American Muslim communities face when establishing cemeteries is obtaining administrative approval from an entity such as a city council or board of commissioners. Residents' concerns related to groundwater contamination, lowered property values, and aesthetics often pressure authorities to deny cemetery projects. These reasons for opposition differ from those involving mosques, which tend to focus on increased traffic, violations of noise ordinances, and the potential for terrorism. This collection is more comprehensive than other compilations of cemetery cases, which cover a limited timeframe, are no longer current, or need to be updated (e.g., Pew Research Center 2012, Younes 2017, ACLU 2017, New America 2018, HuffPost 2024). However, it does not fully represent all controversies surrounding American Muslim cemeteries, as it focuses on post-2000 cases and does not include cases of vandalism against established cemeteries. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Title A name given to the resource Cemeteries Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Current and former Oxford College of Emory University students: Sofia Fonti, Ben Damon, Geneva Cunningham, Ameer Alnasser, Nadira Hassan, Chloe Peyrebrune, Lauren Yee, Ammarah Ahmed, Alexander Cleveland, Ehren Fernandez, Andres Lebed Wright, Bryce Bentinck, Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, Shahmeer Khan, and Snehitha Vardhineni. Project supervisor: Dr. Florian Pohl Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) TN_01x Date 2012 Proposed Project cemetery on 1.5 acres of a 15-acre property owned by the Muslim community Year Year the case began. 2012 Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications approved with conditions Location The location of the interview Tennessee Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Islamic Center of Murfreesboro Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2012, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM) faced opposition to its plans to construct a Muslim cemetery. The quest to secure the required permits for its cemetery occurred within the context of ongoing public and legal challenges to a mosque project the ICM had faced since 2010. Although the details of the ICM’s mosque project are <a href="https://usmc.oxomeka.org/items/show/13">described separately in this archive</a>, the broad outlines of this case, which garnered national attention in 2010, are outlined here to provide the context for the Muslim community’s efforts to secure the rights for the cemetery. In March 2009, the Murfreesboro Muslim community began planning for a larger mosque to serve its growing population, eventually purchasing land on Veal Rd in 2010. The Rutherford County Planning Commission approved the mosque's construction on May 24 (Broden, 2014, Jan 9). However, this decision sparked controversy, leading to protests and inflammatory remarks from influential figures. This opposition escalated to a lawsuit against Rutherford County on September 17, 2010, with plaintiffs making Islamophobic arguments. Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew swiftly dismissed the lawsuit, but subsequent legal battles ensued. In April 2012, Corlew sided with the mosque's critics, citing insufficient public notice regarding the construction. The Department of Justice intervened on July 8, filing a lawsuit on behalf of the mosque and arguing a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Protections Act (RLUIPA). The DOJ appealed Corlew's decision to allow the mosque to open under a temporary occupancy permit in early August 2012. In June 2014, the Supreme Court finally resolved the matter, rejecting to hear the opposition’s appeal two years after the initial permit approval (Haynes, 2014, June 2014). Against the backdrop of ongoing litigation concerning the ICM’s mosque project, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro faced additional challenges when it tried to construct a Muslim cemetery on its property. Since 2010, the ICM had discussed building a burial ground adjacent to the mosque after one ICM member was buried on the mosque's property under a conditional-use permit (Murfreesboro mosque seeks cemetery permit, 2012, Nov 1). Like the ICM’s mosque building project, the conditional-use permit was met with opposition. Opponents were concerned that the body would "contaminate the water because it was not in a casket and vault" (ibid.). Mosque leaders argued that the burial had followed Tennessee law, but protest persisted. On November 1, 2012, the ICM applied for a special-use permit to construct its cemetery. The approval process for the cemetery was contentious, with public hearings and debates highlighting concerns about traffic disruption and groundwater issues. On January 8, 2014, after a public hearing and a 3-2 vote, the cemetery was approved, albeit with conditions imposed by board member Joe Meshotto. These conditions included maintaining burial records, setting a minimum grave depth of five feet, limiting the number of burial plots to 1,500, restricting grave marker height to one foot, and tying the permit strictly to religious use of the property (Broden, 2014, Jan 9). Despite the ICM's agreement to these conditions, opposition persisted, notably exemplified by Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), who criticized on social media the application of the Tennessee Religious Freedom Act, which was applied in favor of the cemetery, for enabling religious groups to circumvent other laws (Murphy, 2014, Jan 24). In March 2014, public outcry culminated in a lawsuit challenging the cemetery's approval, echoing the anti-Islamic sentiments seen in previous legal battles over the ICM's mosque (Stockard, 2014, Mar 26). On June 18, 2014, Judge Paul Summers dismissed the case against the cemetery's construction, affirming the validity of the special-use permit and the legality of the zoning appeals board's actions (Broden, 2014, Jun 19). Unlike the mosque project, the cemetery's approval did not require intervention from the Department of Justice, marking an end to years of controversy and litigation surrounding the ICM's projects. By the end of 2014, the ICM secured its rights to proceed with the mosque and cemetery projects, concluding a tumultuous period of opposition and legal challenges. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Broden, S. (2014, Jun 19). Judge dismisses mosque cemetery lawsuit. Daily News Journal. <a href="https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2014/06/19/judge-dismisses-mosque-cemetery-lawsuit/11098267/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Broden, S. (2014, Jan 9). Murfreesboro mosque cemetery approved. The Tennessean.<a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2014/01/08/murfreesboro-mosque-cemetery-approved/4394147/"> Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Haynes, C. (2014, June 23). First Amendment: Religious freedom trumps Islamophobia. The Holland Sentinel, p. 6. Available from<a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/14EA2D1CB87D9028"> NewsBank</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Murfreesboro mosque seeks cemetery permit. (2012, November 1). The Associated Press State & Local Wire. Available from<a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:56YD-0N31-JBGK-F2TB-00000-00&context=1516831"> NexisUni</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Murphy, T. (2014, Jan 24). GOP Congressman Blasts Proposal for Muslim Cemetery. Mother Jones. <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/01/gop-congressman-blasts-proposal-muslim-cemetery/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Stockard, S. (2014, Mar 26). Tempers flare at Judicial building over Muslim cemetery. Murfreesboro Post.<a href="https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/murfreesboropost/tempers-flare-at-judicial-building-over-muslim-cemetery/"> Web</a>.</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Murfreesboro, TN [Islamic Cemetery] Description An account of the resource In March 2014, opponents of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro cemetery seek a court order to stop the project by challenging the county's approval of the project. Following the approval in January, Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) is reported to have made disparaging comments on his Facebook page about the cemetery. The campaign echoes themes from 2010 when opponents sought to stop ICM's expansion project. The cemetery sits on 1.5 acres of the 15-acre ICM property. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, and Shahmeer Khan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Built Cemetery Legal Campaign Public Speech REL230_SP24