City Closes Muslim Place of Worship Because of Its Septic System

May 19, 2001

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On May 19, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch reported that "Muslim worshippers arriving for Friday prayers at a North Side mosque found the building locked and posted with notices that it violated environmental codes..City officials closed the Islamic Center...because of its septic system." Hundreds of Muslims, many of whom recently arrived from Somalia, now have no place to gather for traditional communal Friday prayer.