Muslims on Long Island, Inc. (MOLI), along with Imran Makda and Moeen Qureshi, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Town of Oyster Bay, alleging discriminatory practices that hindered their efforts to expand a mosque in Bethpage, Long Island.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on January 24, 2025, accuses the town of obstructing the mosque's growth through biased zoning and parking ordinances.
The plaintiffs' efforts began over six years ago when they sought to modernize their mosque to meet their community's needs. MOLI claims it complied with all regulatory requirements but faced continued resistance rooted in bigotry.
According to the complaint, the Town enacted a new parking ordinance specifically designed to thwart MOLI’s expansion by imposing unreasonable parking requirements not applied to other entities.
MOLI’s application to build a new mosque on its existing property was submitted in 2018. The current structures were inadequate, lacking sufficient space for religious classes and other essential activities. Despite navigating a complex bureaucratic process, the application was ultimately denied following opposition fueled by Islamophobic sentiments.
In the lawsuit, MOLI argues that the town's actions violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which prohibits land use regulations that impose substantial burdens on religious exercise without compelling justification.
The plaintiffs also cite violations of constitutional rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as state laws guaranteeing equal protection and free exercise of religion.
The plaintiffs seek judicial intervention to enforce compliance with RLUIPA and constitutional protections, as well as potential damages for legal fees incurred during the prolonged battle.
The case has been assigned Case ID 2:25-cv-00428.