Plainfield Approves Mosque Development

Members in the group are (left to right) Imran Alikhan, Zaki Basarath, Syed Hussani and Tanveer Iqbal. Photo by: Mark Brown/SunTimes

Succeeding an original no-vote and allegations of religious discrimination, the Plainfield Village Board has voted in favor of the Muslim community center’s development on Route 126.

More than 100 concerned residents flooded the village hall in support of the Islamic Foundation of Southwest Suburbs (IFSWS) and their application to hold prayer services in an old building on Route 126. Previous concerns regarding traffic emerged at the meeting but ultimately the village had a change of heart.

At the meeting, locals accused the board of religious discrimination. They did not understand why there were concerns pertaining to the location, considering the building had previously been used as a Methodist church.

Plainfield Mayor Michael Collins, who supported the mosque from the start, placed the tie-breaking vote.

Zaki Basarath, applicant on behalf of the IFSWS, was grateful for the support from the community. He was especially thankful to the ministers of other religious denominations that attended to encourage religious freedom in the town. He told the Chicago Sun Times, “It’s a big victory for the entire community at large.”

After negotiations, Basarath and the rest of the IFSWS agreed to not park on residential streets and to erect a fence to stop automobile lights from disturbing the neighbors. The group also agreed to return the cross on the building's steeple to the family who helped construct it.

According to officials, the IFSWS received permission to apply for building permits and the project is expected to begin soon.