City officials in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, have granted preliminary approval for a proposed mosque and commercial development, a decision that has generated significant public debate and drawn opposition from some local residents.
According to local media reports, the Broken Arrow Planning Commission voted on 18 December to approve a rezoning request covering 15 acres of land intended for the project. The decision came after a lengthy four-hour public meeting, during which more than 60 residents registered to speak. Most of those who addressed the commission voiced objections to the proposal, citing concerns about community impact and broader social implications.
Robert Gornsen, chair of the Broken Arrow Planning Commission, emphasized that the vote was limited in scope and focused strictly on zoning and technical considerations. He said the commission’s role at this stage was to determine whether the proposal met land-use requirements, not to assess cultural or religious factors associated with the development.
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A planning commission member who supported the rezoning stressed that the decision was rooted in property rights, noting that landowners are permitted to develop their property as long as they comply with applicable municipal and state regulations.
Opponents of the project raised a range of concerns during the meeting. One resident stated that he did not want an “ideology” imposed on his family. In response, supporters of the proposal highlighted the presence and contributions of Muslim residents in the area, pointing out that they are integrated members of the community who work as teachers, doctors, business owners, and parents.
City records indicate that the land was purchased in 2014 by the Islamic Association of North America, an organization that has been active since the 1970s and owns properties across more than 40 US states. Estimates suggest that approximately 10,000 Muslims live in the greater Tulsa metropolitan area, underscoring the demand for expanded religious and community facilities.
The preliminary approval does not authorize construction to begin. The final decision on the rezoning request, along with the issuance of a conditional construction permit, will be made by the Broken Arrow City Council. The council is scheduled to review the proposal at a special meeting on 20 January 2026.
The upcoming vote is expected to draw continued public attention, as the project has become a focal point for broader discussions around religious freedom, land-use policy, and community identity in the rapidly growing suburb.
Originally reported by ABNA 24.
