Islamic Center Wins Fight To Locate In St. Anthony
ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE, Minn. (WCCO) — After a two-year battle, there is a breakthrough in the fight to build a mosque and Islamic center in a St. Anthony Village office building.
In 2012 the city council rejected the plan because it didn't fit with the area's mixed-use zoning issues designation. Then last August, the U.S. Attorney filed a federal lawsuit against the city claiming the refusal was a clear case of religious discrimination.
The building in question is the St. Anthony Business Center that sits along old Highway 8. It's the former Medtronic headquarters but is now owned by the Islamic Center.
There are some 50 mosques and Islamic Centers presently open in Minnesota, mostly in the Twin Cities. Abu-Haraira Islamic Center bought the St. Anthony office building for $1.8 million, planning to add another.
"We are here today to announce the settlement of the civil rights lawsuit," U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said.
Flanked by Islamic leaders and St. Anthony's mayor, Luger presented the agreement that was hammered out after a 12-hour mediation session.
Under the agreement the city will allow the mosque and center to go forward by changing the zoning to a planned unit development, or PUD.
"Everybody had to work together, coming to a final conclusion that's going to be good for everybody. And I couldn't find a better time of year to do that than at this time," St. Anthony Village mayor, Jerry Faust, said.
Abu-Huraira Islamic leaders say it will be a place of peace, to worship and work with young kids.
Soon the 12,000 square feet of basement will become a place for prayer and community gatherings.
"I want to tell you, we came here 20 years ago seeking freedom and safety. The same reasons your forefathers came here," Sheikh Abdirahman Omar said.
The agreement will still have to be passed by the full city council and be approved by a judge.
Finally, under the agreement the city will have to train its staff on the federal code that governs land use for religious purposes.