Proposed mosque in Monroeville sparks debate at council meeting

A proposed mosque in Monroeville led to a long debate at council meeting.

A Shia Muslim group has requested to build a worship center on Old Haymaker Road.

Imamia is seeking permission to build the mosque on property the group owns at 351 Old Haymaker Road. Ameer Ali, a member of the Imamia’s board, told the planning commission that the group used a building in Plum since 2005.

One man speaking on behalf of the Imamia said, “There are two main groups of Muslims, the Shia group and the Sunni group. We are the Shia group that has been a victim of IS, the group that has been a victim of terrorism for the past 1,400 years.”

Despite the man saying the group does not believe in violence, some residents of Monroeville are still leery of a proposed mosque.

The Monroeville council plans on voting on the proposed mosque on Aug. 11.