(SACRAMENTO, CA, 05/22/2019) — The Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) is investigating after a longtime mosque was forced to shut down after its application for a new permit was denied by the city of Vacaville.
After 19 years in the community, the Islamic Center of Vacaville – the city’s only mosque – was recently approached about an alleged permit issue. The facility had received no previous warnings or complaints.
The mosque then applied for a permit, but the city denied the application – effectively forcing the mosque to shut down after nearly two decades of serving the local Muslim community.
The denial of the permit means the mosque has been closed during Ramadan, a holy month during which Muslims come together at mosques to pray.
“We find the city of Vacaville’s timing very questionable,” said Saad Sweilem, CAIR-SV civil rights attorney, who is working with mosque leadership to address the issue. “To suddenly tell a longtime house of worship about a permit issue and force it to close during the most sacred time for the Muslim community is absolutely devastating.”
Sweilem added: “We’re calling for the city to immediately reconsider its decision and to allow the mosque to reopen so the area’s Muslim community can gather for Ramadan prayers during the final two weeks of the holy month.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SV Communications Manager Kalin Kipling-Mojaddedi, 916-441-6269, kkipling@cair.com
