Muslim civil rights group urges Planning Commission to approve West Valley Muslim Association’s permit application and reject fear-based restrictions
(SANTA CLARA, CA, 5/21/2026) — The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged the Los Gatos Planning Commission to approve the West Valley Muslim Association’s (WVMA) conditional use permit application and reject attempts to use this week’s deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego to justify additional restrictions on the local Muslim congregation.
In a letter sent to planning commissioners ahead of tonight’s continued deliberations, CAIR-SFBA said it was “shocked and appalled” that some neighbors invoked the San Diego mosque attack to argue for more restrictions on WVMA and its congregants.
SEE: CAIR-SFBA Letter to Los Gatos Planning Commission
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
“A hate-motivated shooting that left worshippers dead, families shattered, and children traumatized should never be used as ammunition in a local land use dispute. WVMA and its congregants would be the targets of anti-Muslim violence, not the source of danger. Local government must make clear that Muslim families belong here and that their rights will be protected equally.”
CAIR-SFBA said WVMA has been engaging responsibly with the Town of Los Gatos, law enforcement, and fire officials on traffic management, emergency access, occupancy, and safety planning since acquiring the property, and that the draft conditions already address those concerns.
The organization also noted that the Town Attorney has reportedly acknowledged that several previously proposed conditions likely raised concerns under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA, a federal law that protects religious institutions from discriminatory land use treatment.
“The question before the Town is whether Muslims will be treated equally under the law,” Billoo said. “Any conditions imposed on WVMA must be lawful, neutral, evidence-based, and applied consistently across religious institutions. The Planning Commission should not single out this congregation for unequal treatment.”
CAIR-SFBA urged the Planning Commission to approve WVMA’s application, reject fear-based narratives, and ensure that any conditions imposed are lawful, neutral, evidence-based, and consistent with how the Town treats other religious institutions.
CAIR-SFBA said it is monitoring the matter closely and is prepared to support WVMA and the Muslim community in protecting their civil rights, including through legal advocacy if necessary.
CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com