New Jersey Muslims sue township for mosque denial, alleging discrimination

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(RNS) — The Muslim Center of New Jersey is suing the Marlboro Township, New Jersey zoning board, council, mayor and others, alleging religious discrimination and violations of the community’s right to worship after a five-year application process to build a mosque ended with a denial.

The federal complaint, filed Sept. 28 in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges the zoning board bowed to anti-Muslim pressure and that the denial of its application violates the Muslim Center’s constitutional rights. The board repeatedly canceled and rescheduled hearings before denying the application in June, the lawsuit says.

“We are asking to be treated the same way as everyone else in this town and for our families to have a permanent place to worship in the community,” said Mohammed Tahir, president of the Muslim Center, who has lived in Marlboro with his family for over 20 years.

The lawsuit seeks a reversal of the township’s decision and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Stephen Dalina, the mayor’s chief of staff, told RNS that Marlboro Township had not yet…