Religious Coalition Protests Mosque Rejection In DuPage
WILLOWBROOK (WBBM) -- A coalition of religious leaders has joined Chicago area Muslims protesting a DuPage County zoning board's rejection of plans for a new Mosque in southwest suburban Willowbrook.
Members of the Chicago Islamic Council assert they've addressed parking and flooding issues.
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However, they don't believe they should have to fight rejection on grounds stated by the DuPage Zoning Board of Appeals: That a new Mecca mosque in Willowbrook would amount to religious over-saturation.
Jane Ramsey, executive director of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, said the ruling reminded her of real estate covenants that once excluded Jews, blacks and Catholics from Chicago's suburbs up until 50 years ago.
"In many communities in the Chicago area [it was], 'no Jews, no blacks, no Catholics,'" she said. "The terminology 'religious over-saturation' rings in that same vein."
Dr Zahir Sahloul of the Chicago Islamic Council says members will await action by the full DuPage County Board before deciding on a federal lawsuit.
