The U.S. Justice Department has submitted a statement of interest in support of a religious Islamic organization in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The organization, Muslims on Long Island (MOLI), claims that the Town of Oyster Bay violated their rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by denying their site plan application to expand a mosque to accommodate their congregation.
The legal action was initiated by MOLI, who has maintained a mosque in Bethpage, Long Island, since 1998. They argue that the mosque requires more space for prayer, religious education, ritual washing, and counseling. The organization alleges that the Town's revised zoning code imposes stricter parking requirements on houses of worship in comparison to non-religious venues like theaters and libraries. MOLI claims this unequal treatment is in violation of RLUIPA’s equal terms provision.
"RLUIPA prohibits local governments from imposing more onerous requirements on religious assemblies than comparable nonreligious assemblies," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. "The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigilantly enforce RLUIPA's protections and ensure that religious groups have equal access to places to worship."
U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York added, "Zoning regulations that unfairly restrict assemblies by faith-based groups violate federal law." He emphasized the obligation of municipalities to provide equal treatment to houses of worship in zoning matters.
RLUIPA serves to protect religious entities from burdensome, unequal, or discriminatory land use regulations. Further insights into RLUIPA and related enforcement actions are available on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage.
To reinforce compliance, the Justice Department has distributed correspondence to leaders at various government levels, reminding them of their responsibilities under RLUIPA. The office handling this matter comprises the Civil Division, led by Civil Rights Chief Michael J. Goldberger, with attorneys Noah Sacks and Beth Pepper also involved.
Individuals experiencing discrimination in land use can contact the U.S. Attorney's Office or the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division for assistance. Additional resources and information about RLUIPA are accessible online.
Case details can be found in E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 25-CV-428 (SJB).
