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January 18, 2002/5 Shevat 5762, Vol. 54, No.18
Jews support effort for Valley mosque
BARRY COHEN
Editor
The Islamic Center of the Northeast Valley has received permission to add a mosque to Scottsdale's religious landscape.
After a four-and-a-half-hour session, open to the community, the Scottsdale Development Review Board voted 6-1 to approve the construction of a mosque at the southwest corner of 122nd Street and Via Linda.
Present at the meeting was a Jewish delegation in support of the Islamic center.
"We're here to welcome (this Muslim community) to their home into the midst of all of our people, and we will all be enriched by the fact that their experience will become our experience," said Rabbi B. Charles Herring of Temple Kol Ami of Scottsdale, speaking Jan. 10 before the development review board.
The January meeting was the second time the Islamic center met before the DRB.
On Nov. 1, representatives of the center presented plans for a 15,616-square-foot structure to be built on the 3.38 acre site.
The DRB requested at that time for the Islamic center to make a number of changes, including a single entry and exit onto Via Linda, a natural vegetation buffer and colors to match the homes surrounding the site.
At the January meeting, Kurt Jones, the project coordinator appointed by the DRB, along with Islamic center leaders, presented a revised plan for the mosque, addressing the changes requested by the DRB.
Bill Straus, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said he wanted to be present at the DRB meeting to determine if there was any discrimination against the Muslim community in their efforts to build a mosque in Scottsdale.
"The ADL has an unswerving commitment to defending against discrimination," he remarked.
Straus added that some people in the Jewish community were not in favor of the ADL's involvement. "There are some ... in the community who are bigoted. ... I do not like to say it about our team, but it's true."
He added that those Jews in the local community who may be anti-Muslim or anti-Arab American are "a vast minority."
Representatives from the Islamic Center of the Northeast Valley said they welcomed the Jewish presence at the DRB hearing.
"Having our Jewish brothers and sisters there to help us, and the sense of community and support, were invaluable," said M. Zuhdi Jasser, Islamic center spokesman. "This sowed the seed of a relationship, a true friendship, for generations to come in the Scottsdale community."
Sal Ramel, architect of the mosque, echoed Jasser's comments. "There is ... a true genuine feeling of love and concern between (local Muslims and Jews). ... Different politics have nothing to do with our relationship."
At the DRB hearing, advocates and critics of plans to construct the mosque had the chance to speak. A number of neighbors voiced frustrations that members of the Islamic center failed to reach out to the residents living adjacent to the property where the mosque will be built. In addition, a suggestion was offered for the Islamic center to construct the mosque at an alternate site in Scottsdale. Requests for a continuance were then made by critics for the leaders of the Islamic center to address these concerns.
"It was interesting to see that almost every single development review board member suggested (at the Nov. 1 meeting) that (members of the Islamic center) go meet with the neighbors," said Andy
Richardson, who lives in the neighborhood.
Larry Grobman, a Scottsdale resident suggesting the mosque be built at a different location, called for "at least a 60-day continuance so that deals can be finalized for a new location for this facility."
Alan Kaufman, a Scottsdale lawyer, said he represented "400 people who signed a petition opposed (to the mosque)."
According to Kaufman, the compelling argument against the mosque's construction is that "it does not belong in Scottsdale in this place, in this size." ... It is an inappropriate use of the land."
He added that he would also be opposed to a synagogue or a church being built on the land, as well as "a Circle K."
Though the DRB approved plans for the mosque to be built at the 122nd Street and Via Linda location, those opposed to the ruling have 20 days to appeal.
Asra Hussein, a member of the Islamic center, remarked that the alternative site was not acceptable, in part because "there is a wash running through it."
In his presentation to the DRB, Jasser disagreed with critics who said representatives of the Islamic center failed to reach out to the neighbors. He pointed to a Dec. 18 open house at St.
Bernadette Catholic Church in Scottsdale, "attended by 300-400 people."
Jasser said the next step for the Islamic center is to meet with a City of Scottsdale "study session" and show that "stipulations from the DRB are being implemented." Changes will need to be made, including additional vegetation, alterations to the building's color and the location of garbage cans, among others.
After these changes are approved, the Islamic center can apply for building permits from the City of Scottsdale and begin construction in the next six months to a year, said Jasser.
Also present at the DRB meeting in support of the mosque were Helen Stern and Mark Rothman, of the ADL; Rabbi Peter Levi of Temple Chai of Phoenix; Art Stein of Scottsdale; and Bob Rosenberg of Phoenix and State House of Representatives candidate for District 15.
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