Justice Department Sues Minnesota Town Over Denial of Use Permit To Mosque

The Justice Department announced yesterday the filing of a civil lawuit against St. Anthony Village, Minnesota for violating the "equal terms" provision of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.  The suit challenges the village's refusal to issue a conditional use permit to the Abu Huraira Islamic Center that seeks to purchase an existing business center in an area zoned "light industrial," use the basement for worship space and continue to rent the remainder of the building to existing business tenants. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the 4-1 City Council vote reversing the recommndation of the City Planning Staff came after a Council meeting at which some residents made disparaging remarks about the Muslim faith.