Basking Ridge Residents Subpoenaed For Speaking Out Against Islamic Mosque

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A nonprofit, public interest law firm in Minnesota is representing a group of eight residents in Basking Ridge, who were issued subpoenas after speaking out against the proposed 4,250-square-foot Islamic mosque on Church Street, a historic section of the township.

The subpoenas were issued by the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge a few months ago asking for the residents to turn over all of their personal documents, including emails, voicemails, text messages and social media posts concerning Muslims, Islam, mosques, the Quran, Muslim worship or prayer services, wudu, imams, burkas, hijabs, Sharia, jihad or anything else associated with or related to Muslims or Islam, according to the Thomas More Law Center, who is now representing the group of residents.

“These are just private citizens,” said Richard Thomas, president and chief counsel at the Thomas More Law Center. “That’s what is very troubling and unconstitutional. These were private citizens and the only thing they did was attend public meetings of the town council and expressed concerns over the mosque and concerns of the zoning requirements. Because of their appearances in public on this important issue they get slapped with a subpoena to reveal their personal documents … Allowing this would just open a new Pandora's box.”

Since the subpoenas were filed, the residents have filed an opposition with the New Jersey District Court. And the ISBR has issued a response to their opposition.

Currently the lawsuit is pending based on what Bernards Township decides to do with its own lawsuit with ISBR.

The lawsuit by the The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge was filed in March after the Bernards Township Planning Board denied voted down the application to build an Islamic mosque on Church Street.

• See Related: Basking Ridge Votes No To Islamic Mosque

Since the ISBR's suit the United States Justice Department also filed a lawsuit in November 2016 against Bernards Township alleging discrimination after the Township's Planning Board decision.

If there is a settlement the subpoenas against the residents would be a “moot point” and most likely dropped, according to Thomas.

Bernards Township was slated to have a special meeting regarding a possible settlement of their own lawsuit Friday, April 21 but it was cancelled early that morning.

"The special meeting of the Bernards Township Committee, scheduled for Friday, April 21 was postponed because there was not enough time to adequately notify the public as required by law. It is currently the intention of the Township Committee to reschedule this meeting in May."

• See Related: Meeting Regarding Islamic Mosque Lawsuit Cancelled

The township was also scheduled to have its committee meeting on Tuesday night, but that has also been cancelled. The next committee meeting is not scheduled until May 9 at 8 p.m.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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