L.I. Muslim Society gets approval for expansion

The Long Island Muslim Society has been given the green light to expand its East Meadow mosque, which takes in congregants from several South Shore communities, including North Bellmore and North Merrick.

In a Nov. 29 decision, the Town of Hempstead Board of Appeals granted the mosque’s application to build a two-story addition and staircase to give female members a place to worship separately — as long as no more than 116 people occupy the building at once.

The mosque’s site plan was prepared by Bellmore architect Robert Alweis.

The board’s decision came three months after an Aug. 17 hearing at which neighboring residents raised concerns about traffic.

According to published reports at the time, a number of residents alleged that East Meadow Avenue already had traffic issues because of the mosque, and the expansion might cause problems for emergency responders.

The New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations supported the project from the beginning, urging Muslims to write the board in support.

“We are pleased to hear that the Town of Hempstead’s Zoning Board of Appeals approved the expansion requested by the Long Island Muslim Society,” said CAIR’s Afaf Nasher. “The decision recognizes every faith community’s ability to practice its faith with applicable local laws administered fairly. We hope the diverse community of Hempstead is enriched by the expansion of the mosque.” 

The board ultimately found that the argument for the expansion outweighed those against it, and that the expansion “will not have a significant effect on the environment.” The vote was 4-1, with board member Joseph Pelligrini voting against it.

The Long Island Muslim Society was founded in 1989 as a religious and educational nonprofit organization, “dedicated to the service of the community through educational programs, interfaith dialogue and humanitarian services,” according to its website.

Another area mosque may also expand soon. The leadership at Jaam’e Masjid, in Bellmore, which was founded in 2001, said it hopes to build a second floor to provide a salah — or ritual worship — space for women, as well as a library and office.

The Bellmore mosque was established in 2001, in a space originally used as a restaurant. In the succeeding years, the organization purchased a nearby house for its imam, as well as a convenience store property next door.

Representatives of the Long Island Muslim Society could not be reached for comment by press time.