"It's not big enough, Speer. I want it twice as big-with lots of towers."
Nearly four years ago, the planning commission of Sterling Hts, Michigan voted 9-0 to reject a permit to build a mega-mosque in its community. The led to court challenges, which still continue. Opponents of the project argue that the mega mosque would create traffic problems and violate zoning laws. In addition, many of the town's residents are Chaldean Christian refugees from the Middle East, who had fled persecution from Muslims. They were included among those who had applauded the planning commission's earlier decision.
Leo Hohmann.com gives us the background to this story.
https://leohohmann.com/2019/05/03/mayor-sides-with-muslims-in-mega-mosque-battle-that-divides-community/#more-3069
I would not take the argument that Muslims should not have a place of worship. However, in their never-ending quest for more and bigger mosques, their leaders don't seem to care much for local sentiments or zoning concerns. Building a huge mega structure that dwarfs the surrounding residential neighborhood and leads to traffic and parking congestion can easily be seen as efforts to exercise supremacy-which Islam is all about in the first place.
Consequently, the correct way to challenge this expansion is by enforcing zoning regulations which are in place to protect the community and residents. Challenging a new mosque because you object to Islamic practices and teaching is not a winning formula. Better to use existing laws which are reasonable.
2 comments:
Oh, looks like you can't discriminate based on anti-Muslim sentiments, who knew?
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/08/01/judge-says-sterling-heights-can-allow-mosque-built/881021002/
https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/03/01/sterling-heights-mosque/
Anonymous,
As I said in my post. You cannot challenge a mosque in your town because you don't like Muslims. But if the mosque would cause problems with traffic, parking, noise, congestion, which many do, then the residents can make a case.
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