Planning Commission approves site plan for new mosque near Urbana

Ceoli Jacoby, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
·2 min read

Oct. 11—A local Muslim organization's site plan for a mosque and community center near Urbana was approved on Wednesday.

The Urbana Muslim Association proposes to build the 7,000-square-foot mosque and community center on a 2.8-acre site along Green Valley Road south of Md. 80. The mosque would include two prayer halls with a combined 250 seats.

The proposed mosque would also include a kitchenette, office and storage space; parking for vehicles and bicycles; a large multipurpose hall; and spacious restrooms where people can go to wash before prayer.

The proposed mosque would join several other houses of worship in the area, including the Bush Creek Church of the Brethren, the First Baptist Church of Green Valley and the Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple.

Dozens of people expressed support for the Urbana Muslim Association's proposal during a Frederick County Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday and in written comments submitted ahead of time.

According to Vice Chair Joel Rensberger, the Planning Commission received more than 50 emails from county residents in favor of the new mosque.

Muhsin Jose of Ijamsville said his family has limited options for religious services. The Islamic Society of Frederick is a 45-minute round-trip from their home, while the Islamic Center of Maryland in Montgomery County is an hour round-trip.

Mukarram Shah of Frederick agreed that the local Muslim community is in need of another gathering place, particularly in the southeast part of Frederick County.

"It is high time that we have a place of our own where we can engage and worship with our community members," Shah said during the meeting.

In past years, both Frederick County and the town of Walkersville have drawn criticism from members of the Muslim community, some of whom felt that earlier efforts to build new houses of worship were unfairly blocked by officials.

The Planning Commission's approval of a site plan for the new mosque on Wednesday came with conditions, including changes to the proposed tree canopy.

Rensberger said the Muslim center would be a welcome addition to the surrounding community.

"I think we're lucky to have this as a use, instead of a Dollar General or something like that," he said during the meeting.

With conditional site plan approval from the Planning Commission, the Urbana Muslim Association plans to close on the land purchase next month.