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NORWALK, Conn. – Local Muslims seeking to build a mosque in a residential neighborhood of Norwalk have filed a federal suit against the city over the Zoning Commission's denial of their application.
Storzer and Greene, PLLC, a law firm with offices in New York and Washington, filed the suit Thursday on behalf of Al Madany Islamic Center of Norwalk, according to a statement. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court, alleges violations of the First and 14th Amendments, the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and Connecticut's Religious Freedom Act. The suit also challenges the city's zoning regulations.
Al Madany's application for a special permit to build a mosque at 127 Fillow St. was denied June 6.
The Zoning Commission cited concerns about traffic and inadequate parking in its denial, as well as concerns about the size of the facility. "It would not blend well with the surrounding residential neighborhood," the commission stated in its resolution, which is attached below.
The complaint describes the center's need for a place of worship and the lack of an existing mosque in Norwalk, according to a statement. It alleges that the Zoning Commission's action was based on "misapplication of state and local laws," "ad hoc factors specifically and specially designed to prevent the construction of a mosque within Norwalk" and "unequal treatment as compared to similarly situated places of worship in the same area and zoning district."
The complaint states that a place of worship is an allowed use with a special permit in the residential zoning district where the property is located and alleges that the center complied with all promulgated standards for such a use.
"Federal law protects the right of all religious traditions, mainstream or minority, to a place where congregants can pray, worship together and teach their children," said Roman P. Storzer, attorney for the center, in the statement. "It is up to the faith-based organization, and not the government, to decide which religious activities are uses that are to be associated with its place of worship."
Al Madany Islamic Center is also represented by Fairfield attorney John F. Fallon.
Comments (9)
This is absolutely ABSURD!!!!
There are OTHER areas of Norwalk to build your gigantic mosque. The town isn't saying 'no' to the mosque - it's just not working for the plot of land you chose. Rather than suing the city, how about we try this one --- PICK....ANOTHER....PLOT OF LAND!!
"The complaint describes the center's need for a place of worship and the lack of an existing mosque in Norwalk, according to a statement." So build it somewhere else in Norwalk - not in such a residential area!!
The people pushing for this are acting like rotten children. I have chosen to keep my comments to myself since this whole thing started, but suing the City of Norwalk pushed me over the edge. The city is having ENOUGH issues with the whole debacle over the schools. Now you want to SUE the city because you didn't get your way???? Oh there is so much more I could say right now but we have to keep these posts 'clean'.
Its THEIR land & this whole thing is shameful. They complied with ALL zoning laws, got approved & then due to public outcry rejected. This is simply a NIMBY issue & everyones ok if its someplace else. Well too bad, theres development of things some dont like in all of Norwalk, things get ignored & swept under the rug all the time. I live in a two family zone with at least 3 three or 4 family houses the city could care less about but we reject these people who have co operated every step of the way?
"The people pushing for this are acting like rotten children"
Aren't they? "WAHHHH! I WANT to built it THERE!!" as they stomp their feet and cry. These are adults??? Hmmm, and see how they teach the children "if you don't get what you want, find a lawyer and sue!"
Sad...really sad.
I hope to God that they lose...BIG.
Build the Mosque in another area!!!
The Zoning Commission cited concerns about traffic and inadequate parking in its denial, as well as concerns about the size of the facility. "It would not blend well with the surrounding residential neighborhood," the commission stated in its resolution, which is attached below
I read the resolution, and, in my opinion, they ( the Al Madany Islamic Center ) are in over their heads. From what I read, the BIGGEST problem is that gymnasium and parking issues, which they acknowledged in their own letter.
Instead of trying to sue, why doesnt the Al Madany Islamic Center of Norwalk, look for a more suitable piece of land? OR make their WHOLE building MUCH smaller, and get rid of that Gym (I never heard of a church having a gym).
Nope, they think its better to sue. Sad...
What a shame. They will spend more pursuing a suit than they would having their architect change the plans to meet the real concerns of the neighbors and the zoning board. If they change the plans to provide a lot more off-street parking and better access to and from the property in cars and go back to zoning, they will get their permit, although they may lose the existing building on the site.
We have all questioned zoning decisions, but nobody ever made the argument that any of their decisions were based on religious prejudice. No court in the country is going to order zoning to approve the plans as presented . The best they can hope for is an order to re-consider. Zoning would gladly re-consider an improved plan, without a court order and big legal fees. Neighborhood opposition would also quiet down if the plan was improved a little.
Thats another thing...what a way to win people over.."you don't want us here, so guess what? We are going to SUE for the right to PUSH ourselves into your neighborhood!" IF they get in, I bet the neighbors will be calling the police constantly for illegally parked cars, noise complaints, etc.
Just find another place! Whats so hard about that? Find a place that has the room...or, if you NEED to be where you are CLEARLY unwanted...get rid of that gymnasium!!! JUST build the mosque.
Will all this be allowed in a quiet neighborhood One month a year?
Ramadan events
Islam's holiest month, Ramadan, is observed through many events. As Muslims must fast during the day during Ramadan, mosques will host iftar dinners after sunset and the fourth required prayer of the day, maghrib. Food is provided, at least in part, by members of the community, thereby creating nightly potluck dinners. Because of the community contribution necessary to serve iftar dinners, mosques with Smaller congregations may Not be able to host the iftar dinners daily. Some mosques will also hold suhoor meals Before Dawn to congregants attending the first Required prayer of the day, fajr. As with iftar dinners, congregants usually provide the food for suhoor, although Able mosques may provide food instead. Mosques will often Invite Poorer Members of the Muslim Community to share in beginning and breaking the fasts, as providing charity during Ramadan is regarded in Islam as especially honorable.
Following the last obligatory daily prayer (Isha') special, optional tarawih prayers are Offered in Larger Mosques. During each night of prayers, which can last for up to two hours each night, usually one member of the community who has memorized the entire Quran (a Hafiz) will recite a segment of the book. Sometimes, several such people (Not Necessarily of the Local community) take turns to do this. During the last Ten Days of Ramadan, Larger mosques will host All-Night Programs to observe Laylat al-Qadr, the night Muslims believe that Muhammad first received Quranic revelations. On that night, between Sunset and Sunrise, mosques employ speakers to educate congregants in attendance about Islam. Mosques or the community usually provide meals periodically Throughout The NIGHT
During the last Ten Days of Ramadan, Larger mosques within the Muslim community will host Iʿtikāf, a practice in which at least one Muslim man from the community must participate. Muslims performing itikaf are Required to stay within the mosque for ten consecutive days, often in worship or learning about Islam. As a result, the rest of the Muslim community is responsible for providing the participants with food, drinks, and whatever else they need during their TEN DAY stay
Will there be room enough?
I imagine the call to prayer 5 times a day will be something to get used to.
There is a wonderful building at the base of South Main Street begging for remodeling and use as a place of worship once again. A much less quieter neighborhood and less restrictive parking rules
Is pulling the ' R ' card the way to go? Winning friends and influencing people the hard way. Hmmm
We won't be hearing about female circumcisions will we? Treating women as second class citizens, this won't be something Norwalkers will have to tolerate under the guise of religious freedoms is it?
Perhaps the adjacent property could be the next site of the Zebra club. They were closed down across town by just being there, not open on Sunday mornings but by just being there, where was their rights to the pursuit of happiness?
Good luck to you all but I don't think forcing your way in is the way to go. The other religious structures were welcomed because thier was still enough ROOM in the neighborhood. They didn't need to Force thier way. Nobody holds it against you, the right to worship, just find a place with enough Room. Talk to Rip Van Winkle, I hear they want to sell the property and there is Plenty of parking.
Sure push them to Sono, of course none of the residents against this would rather live in South Norwalk, but they think these people who bought & paid for that parcel should go there. Anyplace but in your neighborhood. They dont need to play the race card, the racism in posts like yours is clear.
Just wondering...doesn't a lawyer have to be licensed in the State of CT? How can they use a lawyer from NY and Washington?