(CANTON, MI, 9/29/2022) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Judge Edmund’s ruling that Troy’s denial of Adam Community Center’s 2018 request for a variance that would have allowed the first mosque in the city violated federal law.
In her opinion and order, issued yesterday, Judge Edmunds found that Troy’s zoning ordinance violated two provisions of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and found that the Adam’s claims that Troy violated its constitutional rights could move forward to trial. Judge Edmund’s also set a hearing date in November to address the issue of damages against Troy for its violation of RLUIPA.
SEE: Muslim association seeks monetary damages in fight over mosque
“The judge’s decision confirms that every faith community has a fundamental right to have a place to worship close to home.” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “The judge sent a clear message to the city of Troy that it must answer for its actions denying Muslims access to a single place of worship for all these years.”
“We welcome the court’s decision and look forward to moving this case toward trial.” said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure “Judge Edmund’s decision in March of this year and reiterated yesterday confirms that Troy had no legitimate basis for denying Adam’s request to open a mosque in its current location, and we hope that the city will reflect on the harm caused to Adam Community Center over the past four years. Hopefully, this decision will push the city to resolve the remaining legal claims, make Adam Community Center whole and put an end to the time when Troy fought to keep Muslims out of their city.”
BACKGROUNDER:
In 2018, Adam filed a lawsuit against the City of Troy alleging that Troy’s zoning ordinance violated provisions of RLUIPA and the U.S. Constitution as well as claiming that the application of its zoning ordinance against Adam treated Adam differently than other religious and non-religious assemblies.
SEE: Muslim group sues Troy over mosque denial
In 2019, the Department of Justice filed a companion lawsuit against Troy on Adam’s behalf alleging the same violations of RLUIPA as the 2018 lawsuit filed by the community.
SEE: Troy sued by Feds, accused of illegally rejecting mosque, curbing religious freedom
In March 2022, Judge Edmunds, who is presiding over the case issued an opinion and order in favor of the Department of Justice and against Troy in the companion case and ordered that everyone attempt to resolve the outstanding issues involved in Adam’s lawsuit against the city.
See: Judge rules against city of troy for blocking opening of mosque
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/judge-rules-against-city-of-troy-for-blocking-opening-of-mosque
After several rounds of mediation, the city issued a certificate of occupancy to the community making way for them to open the first mosque in the city of Troy. Adam opened its doors in a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by more than 150 community members and religious leaders as well as the Mayor of Troy and other city council members.
See: Mosque opens Troy legal battle continues
Despite Adam opening its doors for religious worship on September 2, 2022, the lawsuit they filed against the city remains ongoing. Yesterday’s decision by Judge Edmunds confirms the decision in the DOJ’s companion case and further outlines that Troy will be required to defend the actions of its administrators and zoning board of appeals members at the 2018 hearing denying Adam’s variance and in the four years since the community’s case has been filed. The Judge’s order further allows the community to present evidence of its claim for damages at a hearing scheduled for November 9, 2022 at the Theodore Levin Courthouse in downtown Detroit.
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La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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Contact: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid (248) 842.1418 dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure (586) 943-8823adoukoure@cair.com