Discrimination Suit Against Bucks County Town Over Construction Of Mosque Moves Forward

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/11/16/bucks-county-mosque-lawsuit/

Discrimination Suit Against Bucks County Town Over Construction Of Mosque Moves Forward
November 16, 2016 4:14 PM By Cherri Gregg

BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) — The Department of Justice lawsuit against Bensalem Township over the construction of a mosque is moving forward after a federal judge refused to toss the case.

In a 12 page opinion, District Judge Michael M. Baylson ruled that the DOJ alleged enough to take the case one step closer to trial.

“The township is certainly disappointed, said solicitor Joseph Pizzo, “but the denial of the motion to dismiss is not totally unexpected.”

Pizzo says the township will vigorously defend the case. The feds allege that the township denied the Bensalem Masjid’s application for a zoning use variance back in 2014.

The Muslim group had been using a fire hall for their religious worship services, but it did not meet their religious needs so they decided to build a mosque.

The DOJ alleges the township treated the group’s zoning application differently because they are Muslim.

“The township did not, will not and has not discriminated against any religious group,” Pizzo said.

He says the parties will meet with the judge for a settlement conference and then move forward with discovery.

The Department of Justice declined to comment.

 

[The Bobster]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...-Mosque-Construction-Is-Denied-442773873.html

Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Settled, Now Mosque Construction Can Continue
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that the Bensalem Masjid can build a mosque in Bensalem Township, which had denied it a construction permit in 2014.
Published 4 hours ago

Federal officials say their discrimination lawsuit against a Pennsylvania township over construction of a long-delayed mosque has been settled and the project can now move forward.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that the Bensalem Masjid can build a mosque in Bensalem Township, which had denied it a construction permit in 2014. That led federal authorities to sue the township for religious discrimination.

Township Solicitor Joseph Pizzo says the permit was denied because the group didn't properly present its case to the zoning board, not because of discrimination. He cited high financial costs as a reason for settling.

Officials say the Bensalem Masjid will be allowed to use three adjoining properties to build a mosque. Bensalem also has agreed to amend its zoning rules to comply with federal requirements.

 

[*marbusfeld]

The miracle of Allahs dictating an entire book to an illiterate
Arab, and its newly discovered 501c status