“San Joaquin County, Calif., supervisors rejected a proposed Islamic school whose founders were deported to Pakistan in a federal terrorism investigation.” However, the county supervisors said they rejected the school based on land-use, not jihad, concerns.
“Calif. county rejects Islamic school,” from UPI, with thanks to Nicolei:
STOCKTON, Calif., Sept. 28 (UPI) — San Joaquin County, Calif., supervisors rejected a proposed Islamic school whose founders were deported to Pakistan in a federal terrorism investigation.
The supervisors insisted their unanimous vote Tuesday was based on land-use concerns and not the federal investigation of the school near Lodi, Calif., the Sacramento (Calif.) Bee reported.
The Farooqia Islamic Center would have included an elementary school, worship hall and community center. Neighbors objected, saying traffic congestion would ruin their rural life.
“I know these are good people and mean well,” Supervisor Leroy Ornellas said, “but churches, mosques and temples should be located in cities.”…
While board Chairman Steven Gutierrez tried to focus on traffic and zoning, some speakers cited the terrorism investigation that resulted in the June arrest of five Lodi Muslims, including two imams leading the project.
School backers rejected federal assertions that the school planned to train U.S. Muslims for jihad, or holy war, against the enemies of Islam.