Bethpage Muslim Community Sues Town of Oyster Bay, Citing Years of Discrimination Over Mosque Expansion

Bethpage Muslim Community Files Federal Lawsuit Against Town of Oyster Bay Over Mosque Expansion

Bethpage, Long Island — A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Town of Oyster Bay by the Muslim community of Bethpage and the Muslim Organization of Long Island (MOLI), alleging over six years of religious discrimination and undue resistance to their efforts to upgrade their local mosque. The civil action, filed on January 24, 2025, in federal court under Case 2:25-cv-00428, claims the Town has subjected MOLI to an “unprecedent level of scrutiny and resistance” and imposed “arbitrary and onerous demands,” significantly delaying the expansion process.

Allegations of Discrimination and Obstruction

The complaint details a protracted struggle between MOLI and the Town’s administrative and planning bodies. According to the plaintiffs, their proposed mosque upgrade in Bethpage, intended to better serve the growing Muslim population, has been met with consistent obstacles since its initial proposal. The lawsuit posits that these delays and demands are not standard procedure but rather reflect discriminatory practices targeting the religious group.

Specific allegations in the filing highlight the Town’s Planning and Development Board (PAB). The lawsuit states that following a public hearing on MOLI’s application, the PAB delayed rendering a decision for an unprecedented four months. This period of inaction, according to the plaintiffs, is just one example of the pattern of delay and resistance they have faced.

Community Opposition Cited in Complaint

The lawsuit also touches upon community opposition raised during the application process, citing concerns voiced by some residents. According to the complaint, opponents expressed fears that the mosque project would “change the culture of Bethpage forever.” These concerns allegedly included promoting values where men are valued more than women. The filing specifically mentions individuals such as Ms. Walker and Craig and Danielle Travers as having raised objections during the public discourse surrounding the project.

The plaintiffs argue that such sentiment, coupled with the Town’s actions, suggests that the delays and scrutiny imposed on MOLI’s application were influenced by religious animus rather than legitimate planning or zoning concerns.

Legal Basis: Religious Liberty and Equal Protection Claims

MOLI and the Bethpage Muslim community are bringing their case under two key federal statutes: 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The claim under 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc pertains to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), a federal law enacted to protect religious institutions from overly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. RLUIPA prohibits governments from implementing land use regulations that impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person, assembly, or institution, unless the government can demonstrate a compelling governmental interest and that the regulation is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.

The second claim, brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, is a cornerstone of federal civil rights law. This statute allows individuals to sue state and local government officials who have violated their constitutionally protected rights. In this context, MOLI and the Bethpage community allege that the Town of Oyster Bay, through its actions and inactions, has deprived them of their rights to religious liberty and equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

By invoking these powerful federal laws, the plaintiffs are seeking judicial intervention to enforce their rights, arguing that the Town’s actions have effectively hindered their ability to practice their religion by preventing the necessary expansion of their house of worship. The lawsuit seeks relief that would compel the Town to cease its alleged discriminatory practices and allow the mosque expansion to proceed without undue delay or burden.

Seeking Resolution Through Federal Court

The filing of Case 2:25-cv-00428 initiates a formal legal process where the Town of Oyster Bay will be required to respond to the specific allegations of discrimination and obstruction. The case will likely involve a review of the Town’s zoning and planning procedures as applied to MOLI’s application, as well as an examination of the motivations behind the delays and demands cited by the plaintiffs.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications not only for the Bethpage Muslim community and the Town of Oyster Bay but also potentially set a precedent for how municipalities handle land use applications from religious institutions across Long Island and beyond, particularly concerning the application of RLUIPA and federal civil rights protections in zoning matters. The plaintiffs await the opportunity to present their case in federal court to seek a resolution that upholds their rights to religious freedom and equality.