STERLING HEIGHTS (AP) — A religious organization has filed a civil suit against a Detroit-area community nearly a year after a proposal for a 20,500-square-foot mosque was denied.
The American Islamic Community Center says in the lawsuit filed recently in federal court in Detroit that the city of Sterling Heights is in violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and the U.S. Constitution’s Free Exercise Clause.
Sterling Heights planning commissioners voted last September against a special land agreement for the mosque in a residential neighborhood.
Some area residents protested the plan, citing traffic congestion and lowered property value concerns.
Supporters of the mosque said the issue was anti-Muslim bias.
A Sterling Heights spokeswoman says officials will not comment on the suit until the city reviews the allegations and consults with lawyers.
- Posted August 16, 2016
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Religious group sues after mosque proposal is denied
headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law back in compliance with ABA standard
- Chemerinsky: The Fourth Amendment comes back to the Supreme Court
- Reinstatement of retired judge reversed by state supreme court
- Mass tort lawyer suspended for 3 years for lying to clients
- Law firms in Minneapolis are helping lawyers, staff navigate unrest
- Federal judge faces trial on charges of being ‘super drunk’ while driving
