The American Islamic Community Center (AICC) is an established religious organization whose members have resided in the City of Sterling Heights for over 50 years. In a story that made headlines, the AICC outgrew its current location in Sterling Heights, and entered into an agreement with a property owner in that same city to build a mosque. The site plan submitted by the Center met all of the requirements to build a house of worship in the City of Sterling Heights. Accordingly, the City Planning staff recommended approval.

The proposal went to a public hearing before a hostile Planning Commission and a small but vocal group of Islamophobic residents. With an openly prejudiced member of the Planning Commission leading the charge in an environment hostile to AICC congregants, the Planning Commission voted to reject the site plan.

Left with no other choice, the AICC has filed this suit seeking equitable relief to build the mosque. The plaintiffs also seek damages, as the City of Sterling Heights’ conduct violates, among other things, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), and the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

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