DOJ FURTHERING CAIR - THIS IS A WAY TO FURTHER DESTROY AMERICA

Proof Engagement Works:  DOJ Launches Investigation into Lomita City Council Decision Against Mosque
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	(Los Angeles - 11/20/11) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council announced today that through its government engagement at the federal level, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil rights investigation into why the Lomita City Council turned down the Islamic Center of South Bay’s building permit application. The Islamic Center of South Bay is located in Lomita, CA.  READ: “Lomita Under Investigation over Rejection of Islamic Center Expansion” (LA Times) The Daily Breeze reported that the DOJ is investigating whether Lomita officials violated federal law. According to the DOJ website, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act "prohibit[s] state and local governments from imposing a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person." Both the Zoning Commission and a traffic study favorably recommended the ICSB’s expansion project. Despite this, the City Council voted down the proposal citing that they did not believe the traffic study’s assertion that the project would bring in more traffic. Iraj Ershaghi, the founding member of the Islamic Center and the manager for the redesign project, said several of the objections raised by community members articulated bias towards their Muslim neighbors. Ershaghi thanked MPAC for their role in raising the awareness of the DOJ to this issue. “This is a clear example of how engagement with government is vital to building our community,” said Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC President. “While MPAC initiated the involvement of the DOJ, CAIR followed up with their legal expertise. Our organizations teaming together and working with government is showing results.” MPAC's continuous participation at the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Interagency meetings has made valuable government resources available to our community. Tom Perez, the US Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights spoke at MPAC's convention and his department received the Community Leadership Award last year for their work on prosecuting against discrimination throughout the United States. Opposition to mosque expansion and even existence was a strong theme in the 2010 elections. “We are bound to face more of the same,” said Aziza Hasan, MPAC Southern California Government Relations Director. “Attend MPAC’s Convention on Dec. 17 to become more aware of how to triumph over the Islamophobia industry.” Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.