The Islamic Society of Tulsa plans to challenge Broken Arrow City Council’s decision to deny a rezoning request for a proposed mosque on the southwest side of town.
In a statement Thursday, the society said it was disappointed in the decision, and leaders are considering all options to reverse it. The statement called the vote “incomprehensible” because the scaled-down version councilors rejected was developed through a series of meetings with city staff.
“In rejecting the IST application, the Council not only rejected the recommendation of its Planning Commission, but also the determination of City Management that the proposal met all requirements of the zoning variance and special use permit,” the society said.
IST has owned 15 acres along South Olive Avenue just south of the Creek Turnpike since 2014. The organization, which has congregated in Tulsa for nearly 50 years, hoped to expand with a new Islamic center in Broken Arrow — but their proposal was met with controversy and opposition from hundreds of residents.
While some opposition focused on infrastructure, such as sewer, stormwater detention and traffic issues, anti-Islamic sentiment has consistently appeared in public meetings and online debates.
“We appreciate that participation in the democratic process sometimes leads to disagreement; we are also, however, disappointed that fearmongering and misinformation dominated the discourse around our proposal and that the Islamophobic frenzy on social media may have had an impact on the Council’s decision to deny our application,” the society said.
IST says it is considering a challenge under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which prohibits government bodies from imposing discriminatory or substantially burdensome land use regulations on religious institutions.
The society says it is also considering filing complaints with state and federal agencies that govern anti-discrimination in city zoning decisions.
IST is facing a legal inquiry of its own, with Republican gubernatorial candidate and Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond launching an investigation into the project’s funding sources. State Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, also filed a bill to revive efforts to ban sharia law.
Those moves came before hundreds attended a Monday special council meeting at Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus. After more than three hours of public comment, councilors voted 4-1 to reject the proposal, citing concerns about infrastructure and incompatibility with the city’s comprehensive plan.
Councilor Justin Green said Monday his vote against the project was not “based on racism” or Islamophobia but because he believes the project is incompatible with the land.
“We’re here to look at this case on the merits and the facts that have been presented to us,” said Green, the lone Black councilor. “If you look up here, one of these things is not like the other. It wasn’t very long ago that a person who looked like me would not be able to sit in a seat like this. So, the things being discussed here today are things that are practical, logical and reasonable.”
About 45 speakers weighed in before the vote. More than a dozen spoke in support of it, but the majority was opposed.
“We sincerely hope that through further dialogue and advocacy, the City of Broken Arrow will not only reverse its decision but will take actions to combat the spread of Islamophobia and to welcome diverse residents into the community, ensuring that all residents are welcome in this beautiful city,” the society said.
The Tulsa Flyer emailed Broken Arrow City Council members, City Attorney Trevor Dennis and city spokesperson Aaron McColloch for comment on IST’s statement but had not heard back by the time this story was published.
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