By Paris Rain, FOX23.com News Staff
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — The Broken Arrow City Council voted to deny a zoning change for a proposed Islamic center.
The meeting was held on Monday and addressed a controversial proposed Islamic center that would include a mosque.
The project planned for south Broken Arrow, near Olive and the Creek Turnpike, has sparked strong opinions on both sides all across Green Country, including from state lawmakers and the Attorney General, who’s now launching an investigation into who’s funding the project.
More than 1,000 people were in attendance for the meeting, and over 400 people signed up for public comment to share their opinions. Everyone in attendance came with their own personal facts, points, and wishes for the council.
Those who live in Broken Arrow and many others all gathered in the auditorium of the Administrative Services Building at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow (NSU-BA) to discuss the proposed Islamic center.
FOX23 first reported on this project in December. Records show the land was bought in 2014 by the North American Islamic Trust.
Since the announcement, the proposal has drawn both support and opposition from members of the community. Many of the concerns were geared toward possible traffic issues, economic discussions, sewer, parking, and the overall uncertainty of what would happen in the building or on the land.
Others who were in favor of the proposal reminded the council and those in the meeting that they, too, call Broken Arrow home and want a second place to worship.
“We are asking nothing more than what this country [has] — the freedom to worship peacefully and to continue positively in the community. Regardless, religious freedom does not exist only when it is comfortable or popular; it exists for moments like this,” said one meeting attendee. “Tonight is not just zoning, it is who we are as a community. We respectfully ask the council [for]…approval and allow this…place of worship. We are here to be good neighbors, to serve and to…reflect the values Broken Arrow stands for: fairness, inclusion and respect for the rule of law.”
City leaders acknowledged that while development projects often bring differing opinions, this proposal has gained a level of attention unlike previous projects.
Watch the full meeting here.
