Published: 8 July, 2008, 11:27
Edited: 8 July, 2008, 11:27
A small U.S. town faces a lawsuit over an alleged conspiracy to deny members of a Muslim Community their right to practise their religion on its territory.
Walkersville, Maryland, became the scene of an unholy row when a local landowner received an offer for his land from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
The 224-acres of David Moxley’s land, which makes up the town’s’ largest farm, were to serve as a residence for the imam and a place of worship for members of the community, which may have numbered as many as 10,000.
Having a mostly white community of 5,500 and so many churches that some call it ‘God's country’, Walkersville received the idea with unease. Locals became increasingly nervous over the prospect of the presence of so many Muslims.
Ahmadiyya launched a public relations initiative to reach out to Walkersville, buying ads in local newspapers and talking with residents.
However in April, the town council prohibited building places of worship on land zoned for agriculture.
Now Moxley, who lost planned revenue of $US 6 million, has filed a lawsuit against the town. His complaint alleges violations of the Constitution's First Amendment, which guarantees the free exercise of religion. Moxley hopes that the Ahmadiyya would once more consider the use of his land.
Walkersville town attorney plans to fight the lawsuit, while the Ahmadiyya say they are no longer interested in Moxley’s property.