https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/2b3e4b9ec902e6c18fdcf7c32e0e5fff.png fb374d2604673c50567b19c80325f69b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Kentucky Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Ky_02 Location The location of the interview Mayfield, KY Year Year the case began. 2010 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2010, Khadar Ahmed, a member of the local Somali community, applied for a permit with Mayfield’s Board of Zoning Adjustments to rent a commercial storefront for use as a mosque and community center. The property was to be rented to serve approximately 150 Somali immigrants who worked at the nearby Pilgrim’s Pride chicken plant. The storefront property was located in a zoning district of Central Mayfield where the board had previously approved two similar permits for churches. The Board had initially approved Ahmed’s permit on Aug 10th but reversed the approval at a special board meeting on Aug 24th, stating that members of the community had not been given an opportunity for public comment on the matter. After the ACLU provided Ahmed with legal representation, the Board once again reversed its decision citing “pending or threatened litigation” (Right to worship, 2010, Oct 10). The permit was finally approved on November 9th. The Board’s initial approval was based on existing zoning for commercial properties and the precedence of other religious buildings permitted within close proximity to the site. Following the Board’s approval of the permit on the 10th, public opposition to the mosque grew until the meeting on the 24th, where the meeting room was filled past capacity. Over 250 residents packed into the building, with more than 100 participants forced to stand in the hallways outside the meeting room. There were no members of the Muslim community present at the 24th meeting, as law enforcement had turned them away after the seating capacity inside the building had been reached. Speakers received applause after stating that they would oppose the erection of a mosque anywhere in town. Some citizens wore shirts with the phrase “I’m an American, I believe in the Christian Church” (Kendall, 2010, Sep 30). The board cited parking and capacity concerns as reasons for their decision to reject the mosque’s permit. Both during and after the meeting, the Somali community was unable to defend their interests due to a significant language barrier and a lack of familiarity with local laws and procedures. After the rejection, the ACLU sent a letter to the Board stating that the rejection of the permit violated the rights of Ahmed and the Somali community. They pointed out that the rejection was based on false assumptions about the behavior of those visiting the Islamic Center and warned that the city’s denial was a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000. The ACLU hired attorney William Deatherage to represent Ahmed and the Somali community. Following the involvement of the ACLU on behalf of the Muslim community, the Board voted to approve the permit during a subsequent meeting on November 9th. In February of 2011, it was reported that the Islamic Center no longer used the rental property for worship. The ACLU confirmed that this was the result of a financial inability to afford the rental fee for the space (Money troubles close Mayfield mosque, 2011, Feb 5). References <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Kendall, T. (2010, September 30). From the Bottom. Paris Post-Intelligencer, The (TN). Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1428E94EE6D498F8">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Money troubles close Mayfield mosque, ACLU says. (2011, February 5). The Associated Press News Service. Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1413E0EB6687A9A8">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Right to worship - Battle over Mayfield mosque has statewide ramifications. (2010, October 15). The Daily Independent (Ashland, KY). Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/132E6B8D6B0E8D70">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>. </li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. July 24, 2021 Proposed Project The Muslim community seeks to use a small storefront building in the downtown business district as a mosque for a maximum occupancy of 40 worshipers. Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Administrative Denial Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Following final approval in November 2010, the Somali community turns the commercial storefront into the Mayfield Islamic Center. In February 2011 it is reported that the community is no longer financially able to keep the Mayfield Islamic Center in operation. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mayfield, KY Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bryce Bentinck Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Description An account of the resource In late August 2010, the Mayfield Board of Zoning Adjustments nullifies its previous permit for a group of Somali-born Muslims to use a rented storefront building in the downtown business district for worship. The Board later reverses its decision again and approves the permit after the Kentucky ACLU provides the Somali community with legal support. ACLU Approved Mosque Planning and Zoning Public Campaign