In light of the recent controversy surrounding a proposed mosque in Broken Arrow, the Islamic Society of Tulsa is using the opportunity to encourage a community conversation.
IST is encouraging the public to come to an open house event next month.
Organizers invite the public to visit the mosque and have a conversation with the community.
The open house is scheduled for Sunday, February 15th, at the mosque located near East 51st Street and South Yale Avenue, from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Although the Broken Arrow City Council denied zoning for the development, IST says it is considering filing a lawsuit.
The Islamic Society of Tulsa released a statement explaining their decision:
“The Islamic Society of Tulsa (IST) is disappointed that the City Council of Broken Arrow voted on January 12, 2026, to deny its application to build a multi-use Islamic Center adjacent to the Creek Turnpike and Olive Avenue.
In rejecting the IST application, the Council not only rejected the recommendation of its Planning Commission, but also the determination of City Management that the proposal met all requirements of the Zoning Variance and Special Use Permit.
What makes its denial incomprehensible is that the Council ignored the scaled-down version of the scope that was presented on the day of the hearing. Both the earlier ‘aspirational’ and the scaled-down versions were developed through substantive meetings with the staff of the City of Broken Arrow.
IST appreciates the professional competence and demeanor of the City Staff, the venue offered by NSU Broken Arrow, and the goodwill shown by the diverse clergy members, civic leaders, and residents of Broken Arrow who spoke in favor of our proposal at the meeting. We appreciate that participation in the democratic process sometimes leads to disagreement; we are also, however, disappointed that fearmongering and misinformation dominated the discourse around our proposal and that the Islamophobic frenzy on social media may have had an impact on the Council’s decision to deny our application.
IST intends to pursue all options to challenge and reverse this myopic and discriminatory decision through legal avenues, including a challenge brought under RLUIPA (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act), which prohibits government entities and municipalities from imposing discriminatory or substantially burdensome land use regulations on religious institutions. We are also considering complaints against the City of Broken Arrow with other relevant state and federal regulatory bodies which govern anti-discrimination in city zoning decisions.
We sincerely hope that through further dialogue and advocacy, the City of Broken Arrow will not only reverse its decision but will take actions to combat the spread of Islamophobia and to welcome diverse residents into the community, ensuring that all residents are welcome in this beautiful city.”
