Bishop Poulson on Broken Arrow Mosque Decision

Bishop Poulson shares a statement regarding the Broken Arrow City Council's decision to reject the mosque proposal.

"I am concerned about the decision last night by the Broken Arrow City Council, before an overflow crowd, to deny the zoning request and conditional use permit for a proposed mosque on Olive Avenue, despite a positive recommendation by city staff and the Broken Arrow Planning Commission. I hope that the decision was, as the council members stated, truly because of questions of land use and infrastructure, and not for religious reasons. In recent weeks, there has been an alarming amount of Islamophobia related to this proposed mosque, especially online. The Episcopal Church values our interfaith and ecumenical friendships. The freedom to worship peacefully is a bedrock value of our nation. Any violation of religious freedom, or hostility towards a group because of their religious beliefs harms us all."

- The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed