WASHINGTON – In a shocking case of religious intolerance, the City of Lilburn, Georgia, has found itself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly discriminating against a Muslim group seeking to build a mosque in the city.
According to a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department, the City of Lilburn twice rejected the Dar-E-Abbas Shia Islamic Center’s requests for rezoning to construct a mosque in November 2009 and December 2010. The government alleges that the city’s denials were based on the religious bias of city officials and to appease members of the public who opposed the construction of a mosque due to religious bias.
The lawsuit further alleges that the city treated the Islamic Center differently than it treated non-Muslim religious groups that regularly have been granted similar rezoning requests. This blatant disregard for the rights of the Muslim community is a clear case of religious discrimination, and the Justice Department is taking action to ensure that the city is held accountable.
“Religious freedom is among our most fundamental rights. Under federal law, cities may not use their zoning laws to discriminate against religious groups seeking to build places of worship,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The department acknowledges and commends the city’s decision to ultimately approve the rezoning, and it is pleased that the city has agreed to enter into a decree with the United States that helps ensure that freedom of religion in the United States is a reality for persons of all faiths.”
Under the agreement, the city may not impose different zoning or building requirements on the Islamic Center or other religious groups, and will publicize its non-discrimination policies and practices. The city also agreed that its leaders, managers and certain other city employees will attend training on the requirements of RLUIPA. In addition, the city will adopt new procedures that clarify its complaint process for zoning and permitting decisions regarding houses of worship, and will report periodically to the Justice Department.
RLUIPA, enacted in 2000, prohibits religious discrimination in land use and zoning decisions. Persons who believe that they been subjected to religious discrimination in land use or zoning may contact the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division at 1-800-896-7743. More information about RLUIPA, including a report on the first 10 years of its enforcement, may be found at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php
The city’s discriminatory actions against the Dar-E-Abbas Shia Islamic Center are a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in the United States. This case serves as a warning to cities and towns across the country that religious discrimination will not be tolerated.
Defendant: City of Lilburn, Georgia, 2011
Crime: Religious Discrimination
City and State: Lilburn, Georgia
Exact Date: June 2011
Sentence or Outcome: Consent Decree
Dollar Amounts: None
Under the agreement, the city will not impose different zoning or building requirements on the Islamic Center or other religious groups, and will publicize its non-discrimination policies and practices.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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