Brookfield mosque project passes after 14-0 vote

BROOKFIELD -- Tuesday night, May 15th, the City of Brookfield voted 14-0 to pass a plan to build a mosque in Brookfield.

The mosque has been the topic of discussion over recent weeks at a number of meetings where neighbors voiced both concern and support for the project. There was some debate to put the project on hold Tuesday night, but the Brookfield Common Council put the project to vote.

For the first time Tuesday night, those opposed to the mosque openly attacked Islam - something that hasn't been allowed at previous government hearings regarding the plan. Some also brought up traffic concerns.

The Islamic Society of Milwaukee wants to build the mosque on property they own off Pheasant Drive by the railroad tracks, on behalf of about 100 families who live in the area.

The city seemed poised to approve the project even before Tuesday night's meeting, with the Plan Commission unanimously voting to move the project forward last week.

"We were happy and elated that the Brookfield mosque project finally passed. I think it shows a reflection of a tremendous amount of hard work by a very dedicated team," one official behind the project said after the vote.

Mosque organizers say they hope to break ground later this summer, and construction should take about a year.

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