A Muslim congregation is suing a suburban Philadelphia town for rejecting its plan to build a mosque.
Approximately 200 families make up the Bensalem Masjid.
"Our community has spent five years simply trying to find an appropriate place to come together to pray," said Dr. Imtiaz Chaudhry, one of the members of Bensalem Masjid, told the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "All we want is the same freedom to practice our religion that other faith groups have in Bensalem."
The congregation says Bensalem has rebuffed its request for a zoning variance even though there is no other available land zoned for religious use. Meanwhile, it says the town has granted variances in recent years to other religious denominations.
Congregation members tell The Philadelphia Inquirer all they want is the same freedom to practice their religion as other religious groups have in Bensalem.
The suit claims their constitutional right to the free exercise of religion is being denied.
An attorney for the town was not available for comment Tuesday morning.
