Muslim civil rights group says conditions imposed on West Valley Muslim Association raise serious religious freedom and equal treatment concerns
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 renewed its call on the Los Gatos Town Council to grant the West Valley Muslim Association’s (WVMA) appeal challenging burdensome conditions imposed on the town’s only mosque.
In June, CAIR-SFBA submitted a letter supporting WVMA’s appeal, which asked the Town Council to preserve the permit approved by the Planning Commission for WVMA’s property at 19679 Farley Road. CAIR-SFBA’s letter also asked the Town Council to remove or revise 19 conditions that raise serious concerns under federal religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws.
In a letter sent to the Town Council ahead of tonight’s deliberations, CAIR-SFBA reminded the Town of Los Gatos of its obligation not to infringe on religious liberty or discriminate against religious institutions under federal law.
SEE: CAIR-SFBA Letter to Los Gatos Town Council
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
“Approving a mosque’s permit while attaching uniquely burdensome conditions is not equal treatment. Los Gatos should not impose restrictions on WVMA that it would not impose on other houses of worship. The Town Council should grant the appeal and ensure that any conditions are neutral, evidence-based, and consistent with federal religious freedom protections.”
CAIR-SFBA and WVMA are objecting to a series of conditions that would subject the mosque to heightened oversight and restrictions not typically imposed on other houses of worship. These include annual reviews by the Town, limits on certain religious activities and attendance, additional parking and traffic requirements, expanded reporting obligations, and costly infrastructure improvements that CAIR-SFBA says are not required of comparable houses of worship.
Muslim residents have spent years working to secure equal treatment and establish a long-term home for worship and community gathering in Los Gatos.
CAIR-SFBA warns that several of the conditions placed on WVMA raise serious concerns under federal religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws because similar requirements are not imposed on other houses of worship.
CAIR-SFBA urged the Los Gatos Town Council to grant WVMA’s appeal and remove or revise the challenged conditions to ensure equal treatment for the town’s Muslim community and compliance with federal religious freedom protections.
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, [email protected]