A Long Island town has finally approved the expansion of a local mosque, ending a months-long legal battle that had drawn national attention.
The decision comes after a controversial attempt by town officials to block the project using a fabricated story about a fictional resident.
Oyster Bay Town Reverses Course
The town of Oyster Bay initially opposed the expansion of the Masjid Al-Baqi mosque in Bethpage, citing traffic and safety concerns.
Officials even claimed that a grandmother couldn’t drive down her street because of heavy traffic from the mosque—a witness who, it later emerged, didn’t exist.
Despite this, on October 21, the town voted 6-1 to approve a modified expansion, nearly doubling the size of the mosque.
The vote came less than 24 hours before a federal trial was set to begin, potentially saving the town from costly litigation.
The Legal Fight Over Religious Rights
The legal battle began in January when Muslims of Long Island sued the town, claiming its zoning laws unfairly targeted religious buildings.
At the center of the dispute was a 2022 town law that changed parking requirements for religious properties.
The proposed expansion would have increased parking from 86 spots to 155, helping to accommodate worshippers and students at the mosque.
Over the course of the lawsuit, the town racked up nearly $400,000 in legal fees, with costs expected to rise after hiring an additional law firm in October.
The last-minute approval of the mosque’s revised plans prevented further legal and financial strain.
The Mosque’s Expansion Needs
Muslims of Long Island had sought to expand their two-campus, 5,000-square-foot property into a 16,000-square-foot facility, including a multipurpose basement.
The expansion was necessary, they argued, because the religious school had to pause at prayer times due to overcrowding, and the mosque only had one bathroom for about 200 worshippers and 150 students during peak times.
Opposition and the “Fictional Grandmother”
Local residents expressed concern about traffic, safety, and parking. One Bethpage homeowner told CBS News, “Adding any more traffic to that intersection is a complete nightmare, and it’s not safe for our kids.”
The controversy escalated when attorneys for the mosque revealed that town officials had fabricated a “grandmother” witness to justify blocking the expansion.
In testimony, Angelo Stanco, chairman of the town’s planning advisory board, acknowledged under oath that the grandmother was “fictional” despite earlier denials.
Town officials also faced criticism for employing a traffic expert who admitted to posting anti-Muslim content online, leading to his dismissal.
The Approved Plan
Under the newly approved plan, the mosque will be 9,950 square feet—about 1,100 square feet smaller than the original proposal. Occupancy is capped at 295 people, down from 464.
The plan also includes enhanced safety measures: a crossing guard funded by the mosque, an improved crosswalk, a caution light, and additional parking on an adjacent property.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joe Saladino said, “I see that we have been able to achieve what the community has asked for, what we believe creates a safer situation.”
A Day of New Beginnings for the Mosque
For Muslims of Long Island, the approval represents relief and a fresh start.
Congregant Imran Makda said, “This is a day of new beginnings.
Our doors will always be open to the community, and we hope our mosque will be a place where people come together in friendship and mutual respect.”
The decision closes a contentious chapter in Oyster Bay’s history and allows the community to focus on growth, safety, and inclusion.