Islamic Leaders Dispute Claim Pompano Mosque Would be a Nuisance

August 31, 2007

Author: Melissa Hoyos

Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinal

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbmosque0831nbaug31,0,2300953.story

Islamic leaders resurrected an ongoing court battle Thursday to protect their right to build a mosque in Pompano Beach's predominantly black northwest area.

The Islamic Center of South Florida went to Broward County Circuit Court to respond to allegations made by Rodney Wright and ask that they be dismissed. Wright, a Pompano Beach resident, filed suit in May to stop construction of the 29,000-square foot building. He claims the group has ties to terrorists organizations and the building would create a nuisance.

Roderick Hannah, attorney for the Islamic Center, argued that Wright's claims are false and that Pompano Beach approved a zoning change for the project last year. That disproves the suit's claim that the mosque would be a nuisance, said Hannah, who filed a motion to dismiss the suit on [June 22]. "They want you to substitute your judgment for what the city does," Hannah told Judge Jeffrey E. Streitfeld.