December 9, 2010

MPAC applauds the Temecula Valley Planning Commission, which unanimously approved plans for the Islamic Center of Temecula to expand its facilities. 

SEE: Special Video message from Imam Mahmoud Harmoush (also shown below)

MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati, who has worked with the Islamic Center's leadership since the controversy around the mosque proposal sprang up this spring, joined supporters last Wednesday in offering comments during a public testimony before the commission. He urged the commission to support the mosque, citing its proud track record as a valued and contributing member of the local interfaith and civic community.

"The history of America is that of inclusion when it comes to Islam," Al-Marayati said. "Even Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist made it a point to honor Prophet Muhammad in the Supreme Court halls because of Islam's major contribution to law throughout history. When I met with FBI Director Robert Mueller, he always applauded Muslim American patriotism. We here should do the same."

The new mosque plans for the congregation of about 135 families include an Islamic center that will sit on a 4.32-acre site on Nicolas Road about two miles east of Chaparral High School.

The chairman of the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley Hadi Nael, Harmoush, Executive Director of Islamic Shura Council of Southern California Shakeel Syed and Al-Marayati also addressed the concerns of a vocal minority about the center disobeying local laws and causing traffic jams. 

"Many good people came to support it -- Christians, Jews, Bahais, you name it," said Hadi Nael, chair of the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley told the Los Angeles Times. "I'm proud of that as an American citizen. It shows that justice prevails."

Among the more than 200 people who packed City Hall for the commission hearing, nine members of the Progressive Jewish Alliance, MPAC's valued partner in NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, travelled to Temecula for the commission hearing on the first day of Hanukkah in order to speak in support of the proposed center and religious pluralism. 

-- Marium F. Mohiuddin (marium@mpac.org)
Communications Coordinator