Masjid Al-Baqi, located in Bethpage, Long Island, has sought to replace its two modest buildings with a new three-story structure. What began as a straightforward renovation request has become a prolonged dispute, reflecting both local zoning debates and wider cultural tensions.

Many see these explanations as masking a deeper resistance to the mosque itself.

The proposed upgrades are modest and practical: additional bathrooms and washing stations, dedicated classrooms for children’s programs, and space for community meals during Ramadan. Congregants emphasize that the expansion is meant to serve existing needs, not to dramatically increase capacity.

While some opposition has cited traffic and planning concerns, but the traffic concerns cited by the town contradict both the evidence and its own studies.

The mosque has also faced a wave of community resistance marked by petitions, heated public meetings, and at times, overtly Islamophobic rhetoric. Lawyers for the mosque have described the opposition as a “fresh wave of anti-Muslim agitation.” A recent settlement briefly appeared to resolve the dispute and was met with relief by the congregation. However, after renewed backlash, the agreement collapsed, and the matter is now set to proceed in federal court. The case raises broader questions about equal treatment of religious institutions.

Source: The New York Times