8/20/16

Muslim Group Threatens to Sue Newton County Over Blocked Georgia Mosque

By Greg Bluestein, AJC - August 19, 2016 

The vote by Newton County Commissioners to temporarily block the construction of a mosque along a busy highway has spurred a threat of a federal lawsuit and calls for a Justice Department investigation.  (Photo:  John Douglas, Newton Commissioner )

The NAACP and more than a dozen Muslim groups called for a federal probe over a Tuesday vote by county commissioners to impose a five-week moratorium on permits for all places of worship after residents raised concerns over plans by Al Maad Al Islami for a mosque, cemetery and burial facility on a 135-acre tract of land.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, who heads the Georgia chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations, called it a “clearly discriminatory decision.”

“Newton’s county commissioners abandoned their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, as well as their own local laws, because of fear and bigotry,” he said.

The proposal was brought by Commissioner John Douglas, who told the Rockdale Citizen he worried that the development, which could eventually include a school, would make his county an attractive place for refugees to resettle.

“Would building those things make us a prime area for the federal government to resettle refugees from the Middle East?” he asked the newspaper. “So I do have some concerns, like the people who live down there.”

The vote for the moratorium was greeted by cheers and applause by the crowd of hundreds, according to WXIA. Mitchell said commissioners “must now decide whether this anti-Muslim discrimination will end at their next public meeting – or inside a federal courtroom.”

Georgia politicians have long struggled to grapple with proposals for mosques. Kennesaw’s city council initially rejected a request to allow a storefront mosque before reversing under the threat of a lawsuit. And Lilburn legislators voted to allow a mosque to expand after costly litigation and pressure from the Justice Department.

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Some Newton Co. residents heated over proposed Islamic cemetery and mosque   

August 16, 2016 - 11 Alive News (NBC)

NEWTON COUNTY, GA. - It’s a hot-button issue that has blown up social media and become the talk of Newton County.

What has some outraged and others embarrassed by comments? A proposal centering around an Islamic cemetery and possible mosque. It would sit on 135 acres of land on Highway 162 and County Road Line.

Johnnie and Grace Weaver said they're worried about the traffic that may come if the proposed cemetery and mosque came to Newton County.

“The traffic would be sort of dangerous,” Newton County resident Johnnie Weaver said. “We need to do some work on the roads.”

Grace Weaver agreed.

“I know we all God's people and we have all types of different religions. (But) The traffic would be terrible I know, “ she said.

Imam Mohammad Islam of the Al Maad Al Islami Mosque in Doraville is behind the proposal.

“Our religion says you should respect the deceased,” he said.

The Imam said that’s the reason for his proposal. He said there are currently a handful of places near the Doraville Mosque which bury the Islamic deceased the proper way. By adding a cemetery on the property in Newton County, Islam said the process would be consolidated by cutting down high costs, time and hassle to grieving families.

“Our main objective is we want to have a place where we can properly bury our people,” the Imam said.

The plan has been met with strong opposition.

On social media, opponents said they are shocked and don't want the cemetery or the mosque.

Imam Isam said he is not surprised by the backlash.

“Our enemies is not what we think our enemies is our ignorance, “ he said.

Even again, he said once the locals get to know the mosque, he’s positive they will think differently.  There’s no word on when Phase 1 – the cemetery or Phase 2, a possible mosque, would begin.

Newton County Manager Lloyd Kerr released a statement in part it says,

“Currently, places of worship are permitted in every zoning category provided the site meets the minimum requirements of the Newton County Zoning Ordinance, and the applicant obtains an Administrative Use Permit. Although this type of approval does not require public notice or public hearings, Newton County Development Services followed correct procedures and protocol and has not attempted to withhold information from the public. Similar project inquiries are routine and applicants typically do not move forward to submit plans or obtain development permits.”

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19 Minute CBS Interview with Imam of Al Maad Al Islami Mosque

CBS46’s Julian Johnson sat down with Imam Mohammad Islam of Al Maad Al Islami Incorporated. Islam, along with his proposed mosque and cemetery, are at the center of a debate raging on in Newton county. 

In this full, unedited interview, Islam explains what his plans are for the 135-acre property off GA Highway 162 and County Line Rd. He also explains why the push back the mosque is now receiving was not a surprise.

Posted: Aug 17, 2016 4:03 PM EDT


http://www.walb.com/Clip/12668325/full-interview-with-imam-mohammad-islam#.V7kvs84NEFc.facebook

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