DEARBORN — Recently some residents in Farmington Hills, Michigan filed a lawsuit against the Farmington Hills School Board for authorizing the sale of Eagle Elementary to the Islamic Cultural Association (ICA). While the ICA was successful in its bid, the Michigan Islamic Academy (MIA) of Ann Arbor had its rezoning request to build a school rejected by the Pittsfield Township Planning Commission. The case has left many wondering about possible discrimination. 

Those opposing the sale to the ICA are accused of bias towards Muslims.  During a Farmington Hills school board meeting in June several protested the sale and made testimonies regarded as hate messages by many. The lawsuit alleges marketing studies were not exercised during the sale and the board never allowed other potential buyers the opportunity to make offers on the school which was on the verge of being demolished at the time. 

The Pittsfield Planning Commission held a vote on Aug. 4 to deny a rezoning request from the MIA to build an Islamic school on a piece of property the group purchased. The Pittsfield Township Board of Trustees has final authority and is expected to vote on the issue at an upcoming meeting according to a news report.   

The Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan (CAIR-MI) sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) expressing concern that Pittsfield Township violated and infringed on the civil rights of Muslims when it rejected the MIA’s application to build an Islamic school.   

CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri says the MIA’s current facility is not large enough to accommodate all its students. She said similar situations are occurring across the nation where Muslim groups face obstacles when attempting to build schools or centers.  

 CAIR-MI requested the presence of the Muslim community at the meeting hoping it would send a strong message to the Pittsfield Township Planning Commission that Michigan Muslims will stand up for their basic democratic rights. Those opposing the school say they are concerned about traffic and neighborhood safety. 

Attorney and civil rights activist, Shereef Akeel, says much of the discrimination towards Muslims is perpetuated by media bias. “These are signs of bigotry and hate perpetuated by media images,” Akeel said. 

He says there is a parallel between the hate American Muslims are facing today and the discrimination other minority groups faced in the past. “Hopefully through time and dedication people will learn more,” he said.