Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
DOB Reneges Approval Of Sheepshead Bay Mosque
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Oct 19, 2010
Modified Oct 19, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Oct 19, 2010
Modified Oct 19, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
While the known universe was focused on the all-important "Ground Zero Mosque" fracas, the Department of Buildings has quietly pulled their approval of an Islamic community center proposed for Sheepshead Bay, just two days after approving it. And despite reasoning that it could cause parking problems or noise issues, property owner Allowey Ahmed is convinced the DOB caved to pressure from anti-Islamic locals. “It’s only common sense to assume that,” he told the Brooklyn Paper. “We lowered our plan from four floors to three out of deference to our neighbors. And now everything is on hold again."
The building proposal will once again face an exhaustive review, which will stall construction for up to five months. State Senator Carl Kruger agrees with Ahmed, saying, "Whenever the [Department of Buildings] knows that something is controversial, they don’t leave it up to one plan examiner," but also says that now "nobody is going to be able to go to them once they started work and say 'This is not appropriate.' " A DOB spokeswoman said they still need to "clarify the occupancy of the first floor to determine if a 'place of assembly' permit is required," which could give fuel to protesters who hear the words "assembly" and "Islamic" and freak out. Ahmed said they should be able to accommodate up to 120 worshipers, but only 20 or so would be coming on an everyday basis.
Protesters have previously claimed that the mosque would cause parking problems on the block, though that reasonable request was overshadowed by bomb threats from locals. But Ahmed remains faithful that the mosque will be built. "We believe that freedom of religion will prevail," he said. "But [the city] shouldn’t backpedal. Our leaders should be at the forefront of guaranteeing our religious freedom." Meanwhile, a mosque designed to serve about 5,000 Turkish-Americans quietly opened in Brighton Beach, and will officially open in December. The only peep from the neighbors seems to be local Suzanne Hogan saying, "they are welcome here." Leave it to Little Russia to give us a lesson in tolerance.
Tagged
brooklyn
department of buildings
DOB
mosque
sheepshead bay
sheepshead bay mosque
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Brigid Bergin
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Three people critically injured in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Three people critically injured in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .