A years-long fight over a mosque’s expansion in Bethpage, Long Island, has reached a breaking point after the Town of Oyster Bay backed out of a nearly $4 million settlement with local Muslim leaders. The case has drawn national attention, raising questions about fairness, discrimination, and how local governments handle religious projects.
The Mosque and the Dispute
The group Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) runs Masjid Al-Baqi, a small mosque that has served the community for more than 20 years. As the congregation grew, MOLI applied in 2018 to replace two small buildings with one larger mosque to accommodate its members better.
But the town rejected or delayed the project several times. In 2022, officials changed local parking laws, requiring far more spaces for houses of worship than before. MOLI said that the change was meant to block their expansion and filed a federal lawsuit claiming discrimination.
Justice Department Steps In
In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice stepped into the case, saying the town’s actions appeared unfair. Federal lawyers said Oyster Bay likely violated a law that protects religious groups from unequal treatment in zoning and land-use cases.
The Justice Department noted that the mosque was being held to stricter standards than other community spaces, such as halls or theaters.
False Testimony and a Broken Deal
This summer, it seemed the long dispute might finally end. Oyster Bay agreed to a $3.95 million settlement that included allowing the mosque to expand. But soon after, the town withdrew from the deal.
Around the same time, court documents revealed that officials had used false testimony to oppose the mosque. A story about a “grandmother” trapped in traffic near the mosque once cited as proof of safety risks turned out to be fabricated. Town lawyers later admitted the “witness” never existed.
Mosque leaders said the town’s behavior showed a clear bias. “We just want to worship peacefully like everyone else,” said Imran Makda, a member of MOLI.
Controversial Consultant Fired
In another twist, the town’s own traffic expert, hired to testify against the mosque, admitted in a deposition that he held anti-Muslim views and even called himself a “bigot.”
After the comments became public, the Town of Oyster Bay fired him. Mosque leaders said the incident proved that prejudice had influenced the process from the start.
Town Says It’s About Safety
Town officials have denied any discrimination. They say their main concerns are parking and traffic safety in the busy Bethpage area. Supervisor Joseph Saladino said the town “respects all faiths” and that any decisions are made based on “facts, not religion.”
What Happens Next
The case is expected to go to trial later this month unless the two sides reach another agreement. If the mosque wins, the decision could set an important example for other faith groups facing zoning barriers.
For now, worshippers at Masjid Al-Baqi continue to gather in their small prayer space, still waiting for the chance to build the mosque they’ve dreamed of for years.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” said Makda. “Just equal treatment.”
References: Most quotes and reporting in this article are drawn from local news coverage, including Newsday, Long Island Business News (LIBN), New York Post, Long Island Press, and FOX 5 NY, as well as official filings from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Story is Still Developing.
