Naperville, IL

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.

Malak Abdelmoaty, Gabby Hilliard, and Hala Mansour

2021

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

Approved

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 248^th 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 Masjid Al-Nur on 248th Avenue is currently under construction and shows much promise.
 

References

• Baker, S. (2021, January 21). Thousands weigh in on proposal for new mosque in Naperville. Chicago: Tribune Publishing Company, LLC.
• Baker, S. (2021, January 24). Plans for mosque on 248th Ave. in Naperville raising concerns with some neighbors again. Chicago: Tribune Publishing Company, LLC.
• 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.
• 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.
• Lamelza, J. (2021, November 19). Islamic Center approved by Naperville City Council. Dataqbid. [Blog]. https://blog.databid.com/blog/islamic-center-approved-by-naperville-city-council