You’d think that in a city as diverse as Troy, there wouldn’t be issues with opening a new religious facility. But you’d be wrong.
This week, the first mosque opened in Troy, after several years, several different attempts at purchasing buildings, and lawsuits by both the Muslim organization opening the mosque and the US government. The mosque is now suing the city for nearly $2 million in lost funding and legal fees.
Originally, the organization, which offers community spaces, education, and a space for prayer, put in an offer on a closed restaurant, but when community members told the city zoning board that it would become a mosque, the organization was told that zoning would not permit a church in that location.
Then they found a church building that was for sale, but the church would not sell to them, no matter what their offer was.
Then they found another larger building (also a former restaurant). And that is the location they are at now.
The requested $2 million in damages is similar in value to awards to other metro-Detroit mosques after their fights with city officials to open.
Keep in mind, the Muslim population in Troy is just under 1% – that’s more than the Sikh population, who have a temple here, and more than the Hindu population, who have a temple and a preschool here.
This likely means that any Pagan organization will also have difficulties getting a space in Troy, but the lawsuits do provide some case law that would be helpful.
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