The Obama administration’s Justice Department filed a lawsuit Thursday against a Pennsylvania township that officials say unfairly denied zoning approval to build a mosque.
The complaint says Bensalem Township’s decision imposed a “substantial burden” on the right of the Bensalem Masjid to exercise its right to exercise its religious freedom.
Justice also said the township “discriminated against the Bensalem Masjid on the basis of religion.”
“Our Constitution protects the rights of religious communities to build places of worship free from unlawful interference and unnecessary barriers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, who leads the department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to challenge unjustified local zoning actions around the country when they encroach upon this important civil right.”
