(FARMINGTON HILLS. MI, 9/19/2019) – The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today welcomed a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit in the Eastern District of Michigan against the City of Troy for violations of the Federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
The DOJ lawsuit alleges that the City of Troy violated federal law when it favored commercial businesses over places of worship in the application of its zoning ordinance. The lawsuit also alleges that Muslims residing in the City of Troy have faced substantial hardship as a result of not having a place of worship in that city.
As of the date of filing its complaint, the city of Troy does not have a mosque or Muslim place of worship, despite boasting about being one of the most diverse cities in the state of Michigan.
CAIR-MI had previously filed a lawsuit against the City of Troy for violations of RLUIPA as well as constitutional violations. That lawsuit is still ongoing.
SEE: Lawsuit Filed Against Troy After Denial of Mosque
“We welcome efforts by the Department of Justice to ensure that people of all faiths may have a place of worship in the city in which they reside and to ensure that cities do not discriminate against religion through their zoning ordinances,” Said CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure. “The City of Troy is one of the largest communities in Michigan in both land size and population. It is appalling to think that they could have seventy-three places of worship for other faiths, but that in this day and age the city is not home to a single mosque.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.END
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid (248) 842-1418 dwalid@cair.com ; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney, Amy Doukoure (586) 943-8823 adoukoure@cair.com
