STERLING HEIGHTS – Hundreds of residents turned out to protest a proposed controversial mosque that religious leaders plan on building on 15 mile and Ryan Rd, near a residential area.
The proposal garnered massive backlash in recent weeks by local residents. While many have continued to argue that building the mosque at the site would go against city zoning rules, the racist and bigoted undertones have continued to prevail.
Many of the demonstrators waved American flags and crosses, while others carried signs that read “Wrong Place” and “No Mosque.”
Police were at the scene to monitor the event. At one point protesters were involved in a heated argument with a group of counter-protesters, who were in favor of building the religious center.
The counter-protesters questioned whether residents were using zoning issues as an excuse to hide behind an Islampohobic agenda. Some of their signs included “What is this really about?” and “Islam loves you.”
The multi million dollar project is being led by Jeff Chehab, Director of the American Islamic Community Center in Madison Heights.
City leaders plan to vote on the proposal at the next city planning commission meeting on September 10 at 7p.m.
Residents have jammed recent city planning commission meetings and city council meetings to express their dismay at the proposal. Some residents blantly questioned whether the mosque was being funded by international organizations, while others asked city leaders to outlaw Islam in Sterling Heights completely.
For detailed coverage of those meetings, click here //bit.ly/1N2cu4u
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