(RNS) — City Council members in a Tulsa, Oklahoma, suburb denied a rezoning request for a proposed mosque after weeks of public debate that involved anti-Muslim pushback and a state attorney general’s investigation.
The denial came despite a recommendation from city staff and the Broken Arrow Planning Commission to approve the rezoning and issue a permit for a mosque and retail center in the city about 15 miles southeast of Tulsa, setting up what could become a legal fight.
Over 1,000 people packed a nearly four-hour-long special Broken Arrow City Council meeting on Monday (Jan. 12), which ended with a council vote of 4-1 to stymie the project.
Some speaking in opposition to the project claimed the proposed mosque would harbor terrorists, violate noise ordinances by broadcasting calls to worship, lower property values and contribute to the “incursion of Islam” in the country. Others raised concerns about land issues, such as water flow and traffic.
Nearby business owners also said they feared that congestion would decrease customer access. Another point of tension was an endowment organization that holds the land title.
Broken Arrow council member Justin Green, who noted he is the only Black member of the council, said …