The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS - Federal authorities have launched a formal civil rights investigation into the city of St. Anthony's decision to reject a planned mosque.
City council officials rejected plans for Abu Huraira Islamic Center in June, prompting the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations to request an investigation.
In most civil rights cases, the U.S. Attorney's Office makes initial inquiries to see if a case has merit. If it does, a formal investigation is launched.
On Monday, CAIR-MN said it applauds the Department of Justice's commitment to take a stance against anti-mosque bigotry.
City Council member Hal Gray says the issue is about land use. The mosque wanted to open in an area dedicated to light industrial use. He says the decision "doesn't have anything to do with their religion whatsoever."
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