“There is a large and growing number of Muslim families who live, work, and pay taxes in DuPage County yet are being denied the same right as their neighbors to establish institutions to accommodate their religious and community needs,” said Ahmed Rehab.

The DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-2 to reject the petition by the Muslim Educational Cultural Center of America (MECCA).

Last year, CAIR-Chicago filed a federal lawsuit against the county, alleging discrimination in the rejection of a zoning proposal for an Islamic educational center and place of worship near Naperville.

“Given the situation with ground zero (in New York), there’s a growing trend by various right-wing organizations to vilify Islamic organizations, and I don’t think we can take that away from what’s happening in DuPage County,” said Kevin Vodak, an attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Join CAIR-Chicago at the Muslim Educational Cultural Center of America (MECCA) for a brief informational session on the services CAIR-Chicago provides to the Muslim community.

In the spirit of unity, people of many cultures gathered Oct. 5 to experience an evening of Muslim tradition. Officials and residents from Burr Ridge, Darien, Willowbrook and Oak Brook met at Ashton Place in Willowbrook for a meal and program hosted by the Muslim Educational and Cultural Center of America.