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Elk Grove mayor says Islamic prayer center comments are 'inappropriate'

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said he was offended by a half dozen “inappropriate” comments he received from people opposed to an Islamic prayer and meeting center opening inside an office building in town.

The village board this week gave preliminary approval for a special use permit for Ali Yun Wali Allah Islamic Center to operate a religious institution at 1550 Higgins Road, on the northern end of Elk Grove's business park.

Robert Naumann, an attorney for the organization, told the Daily Herald last month that the group plans to hold prayer services once a week in the evenings. The services would be in a small group lecture setting, followed by a time of prayer, then food and fellowship.

The organization is made up of Shia Muslims who have been looking for a new, permanent space in which to gather, Naumann said.

Johnson said five people spoke to him at last weekend's RotaryFest and at the Pavilion Fitness center, and one person called him — all urging the village to reject the special use permit for the Islamic organization.

“People need to understand not every person practicing the religion is a terrorist,” Johnson said. “People have the right to religious freedom in this country.”

The mayor said most of the comments came after the Orlando, Florida, nightclub shooting on June 12.

It isn't the first religious institution in the building, which has more than 30 office spaces. In September 2014, the board approved a permit for Centi Illinois, a Christian organization that began in Colombia, to host weekend church services and weeknight Bible study classes there.

The plan commission voted 6-2 on May 23 to recommend approval of a permit for the Islamic center. The village board will take a final vote July 19.

Craig Johnson
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