ACLU Sues Bartlett Over Mosque Construction Denial
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Tennessee has initiated a lawsuit against the Mayoral Committee of Bartlett, claiming religious discrimination. This action stems from the committee’s rejection of plans to construct a mosque proposed by the Muslim Association of Bartlett.
Attorney Daniel Horwitz, working alongside ACLU-Tennessee, is challenging the city board’s decision to deny special use permits for the mosque’s construction. Notably, this rejection occurred despite a substantial traffic impact investigation, authorized by the Bartlett Planning Commission, which concluded that the project would not negatively affect local streets.
Stella Yarbrough, ACLU-Tennessee’s legal director, stated, “This situation illustrates a blatant interference with religious freedom.”
Bartlett’s planning committee had a unanimous vote against the Muslim Association’s application for special permits to build on eight acres they had purchased. The association was hoping to leave their leased building, which does not adequately serve their growing congregation, especially during Ramadan—a significant time for fasting and prayer in the Islamic faith.
Interestingly, the city’s planning and economic development director had backed the mosque’s approval, while a similar permit was granted to a Church of Christ.
The lawsuit alleges that the city violated regulations concerning religious land use and the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause.
Badr Hossein, chair of the Bartlett Muslim Association’s board, expressed frustration, saying, “We tried diligently to address the city’s concerns, but our request was still denied, leaving us no option but to pursue legal action to continue our faith practice.”
Horwitz emphasized the legal implications of targeting one religious group through zoning rules, noting that such actions are unjust if other faiths aren’t subject to similar restrictions.
As of Friday, Bartlett officials had not issued a lawsuit in response and provided no comments when approached.
The lawsuit also highlights hostility expressed by some residents against the mosque’s special use permit. Deputy Mayor Jack Young, a member of the Planning Committee, acknowledged that his opposition to the mosque had little, if anything, to do with traffic concerns. “I’m actually working to look past that research,” he said.
The Muslim Association purchased 8.2 acres on Broadway Road for $167,000 and planned to construct a 5,000-square-foot mosque with 165 parking spaces. Alongside investing $36,000 in improving the land, they also covered the cost of a parking survey, amounting to $20,000. They even agreed to scale back parking to 52 spaces before their permit request was ultimately rejected.
