In a recent decision that has stirred local emotions, officials in Lancaster County, South Carolina, have declined a permit request to establish a mosque, citing infrastructure and traffic concerns. However, some residents have also voiced apprehensions about the potential introduction of Islamic sharia law into their community.
The county council’s decision came after Arafath Mohammad, representing Waxlan Investments LLC, sought approval to construct the mosque on Harrisburg Road. Mohammad had acquired the property earlier this year, but the proposed development has faced resistance from neighbors, as reported by Queen City News.
Wilfredo Rivera, who resides adjacent to the proposed site, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of communication regarding the project’s nature. He noted that traffic congestion is already an issue in the area, and upon learning the land would host a mosque, he began considering selling his home.
Another local resident echoed these sentiments, telling WCNC that the neighborhood’s narrow roads are ill-suited for the increased traffic a mosque might bring. “I don’t think it is a good idea to put a mosque there,” the neighbor remarked, reflecting a common concern about potential traffic disruptions.
At a council meeting held on May 11, these issues were brought to the forefront, alongside more contentious opinions. One resident quoted a passage from the Quran, alleging that mosques promote teachings incompatible with community values, and referenced a belief that such teachings have been banned by the U.S. president.
During a council meeting on May 11, residents shared their concerns.
“I continue to oppose a mosque being built on 10935 Harrisburg Road for several reasons. In our country, the United States of America, our constitution is based on Judeo-Christian beliefs, morals and principles,” one neighbor said. “We are taught to love our neighbors and live peacefully with them. Unfortunately, the belief system of most Muslims contradict that.”
She then quoted a passage from the Quran, stating, “‘Make war on the infidels living in your neighborhood.’ And there’s been experiences that when mosques have been built it also teaches sharia law. And our president of the United States has forbidden sharia law.”
After being told to restrict her comments to the pertinent items, the woman said, “I just want to say this is not about a place of worship. This is not about religion. Islam is not a religion, it’s a takeover. And if you’ve done any studies, if you listen to any of the news media, you will find out that that is true.”
“We do not want Sharia law in this area,” another resident said during his remarks:
In 2016, the South Carolina House passed a bill banning sharia law from state courts, – News reported at the time:
Sharia law is the legal and political system mandated in the Koran and other Islamic texts. It includes laws governing religious practice, such as praying and ritual washing. But sharia also rules what Westerners see as non-government social practices — divorce, child-rearing, free speech, clothing or sexual behavior, for example — and it also rules government responses to crimes, such as theft and murder.
Sharia law relegates women and non-Muslims to a lesser status, and grants men enormous authority over wives, daughters and sons. It allows for the primitive treatment of women and non-Muslims, and allows fierce punishment — sometimes “honor killings” by fathers — for refusing to comply with sharia mandates.
During a recent interview with One America News Network, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) said, “If you look at sharia law, look at the abuse the women take, look at the 13-year-old little girls getting married to adults. It’s a violent sect, and it has no place in America and it’s taken over Europe for the most part.”
In October, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said sharia law was incompatible with “our Judeo-Christian-founded western civilization laws” after he introduced legislation aimed at shielding Americans from it, per – News.
