Justice Department Investigating Culpeper, Islamic Prayer House Permit: Report

CULPEPER, VA — Did the town's Board of Supervisors discriminate against a local Muslim congregation when in April it denied a pump-and-haul sewage request for a proposed Islamic prayer house?

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating just that.

County Administrator John Egertson told the Free Lance-Star that, "they are reviewing our pump-and-haul policy to see if we are in compliance with the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act."

Mohamed Nawabe bought the one-acre parcel off Route 229 despite the supervisors denial of the request, and plans to push with his plans.

Supervisors say some residents have expressed concern about the project by Nawabe and the Islamic Center of Culpeper.

Image: U.S. Department of Justice