DEARBORN — A federal judge, this week, ruled to move the case forward on a request to build the Michigan Islamic Academy, an Islamic school, on property owned by the organization, which was previously denied by Pittsfield Township. 

CAIR-MI filed the lawsuit on behalf of MIA two years ago.  Pittsfield Township and the township officials may face damages for the denial of MIA’s requests. The Township treated MIA differently from institutions, such as churches and businesses, which made similar requests. By treating MIA on less than equal terms than the different institutions, the township violated federal law.  

This ruling is a positive outcome for the American Muslim community.  Staff Attorney Lena Masri said, “We look forward to gathering evidence and deposing the City officials to establish what we already know:  That the reason the City denied MIA’s standing application is due to the faith of the students, rather than anything else.”