A mosque delayed is a right denied

The Marlboro Muslim Community’s fight for a place to pray

FEDERAL LAWSUIT FILED We have taken Marlboro Township to federal court. Read the complaint →
IN THE NEWS NJ Muslim Community Sues Marlboro Township Over Discriminatory Mosque Denial AALDEF →
Proposed Marlboro Muslim Center
Proposed Marlboro Muslim Center
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A home for generations to come

The Marlboro Muslim Community has called Marlboro home for years, but we have never had a mosque in our town. Today, our community relies on a rented firehouse location for Friday prayers and Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan.

We dream of something more. A permanent home where our community can grow, worship, and serve together. Imagine a space where:

  • Our families can pray together without driving to another town
  • Our children can learn Quran, build friendships, and grow in their faith
  • Our youth and elders can find belonging, purpose, and care

Our struggle to build a mosque in Marlboro

5+
Acres of land
~13K
Sq ft mosque

After years of traveling 20+ minutes to nearby towns for prayers and an extensive search for a permanent home, in 2021 we filed a zoning application to build a mosque on a 5+ acre property at 449 Tennent Road in Marlboro, New Jersey.

Existing house at 449 Tennent Road
Existing house at 449 Tennent Road

We did everything as the township process dictated. We hired engineers, architects, and traffic experts. We revised our plans through seven rounds of engineering review. We addressed every concern the township raised over the years.

And yet, five years later, after numerous delays by the township, we were still denied by the zoning board.

Timeline
Milestone Delayed / denied Legal action
September 2021
Application filed by the Marlboro Muslim Community for a mosque on 5+ acres at 449 Tennent Road
December 2023
First delay by board. The township begins a pattern of canceling scheduled hearings
2024 to 2025
2 hearings held. 6+ canceled by the board, citing lack of quorum, scheduling conflicts, and unavailable venues
⚠ Meanwhile, the township approved other major projects without delay▼
100,000+ sq ft self-storage facilityApproved
50,000+ sq ft flex warehouseApproved
Commercial convenience store and fueling stationApproved
29,980 sq ft self-storage facilityApproved
9,900 sq ft school building for another house of worshipApproved
200-unit multifamily apartment complexApproved
October 2025
Lawsuit filed against the township in State Superior Court to force the board to hear the application
March 2026
Judge issues order requiring the township to vote on the application no later than July 2026
April to June 2026
Multiple hearings held under the court order
❚❚ What our community faced at these hearings and on social media▼
At a zoning hearing
“This is for benefit of the people who are mostly from out of town. Ask around. How many people here live in Marlboro?”
Marlboro resident
On social media (verified Marlboro residents)
“Erase Islam from USA”
Posted below Marlboro Mayor’s post about zoning hearings
“Trojan horse”
Marlboro resident
“A violent religious cult”
Marlboro resident
“Keep the Muslims out”
Marlboro resident
“We don’t want this in our town”
Township Councilman Nick Stella
June 23, 2026
Unanimous denial by the board, citing “not enough information provided”
September 28, 2026
Federal lawsuit filed against Marlboro Township and its Zoning Board of Adjustment in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

What’s next

Our struggle for a mosque in our town is not over.

On September 28, 2026, we filed suit in federal court against Marlboro Township and its Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Marlboro Muslim Center v. Township of Marlboro, et al.
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Civil Action No. 3:26-cv-12766

The filings in this case are public records. We are posting them in full so anyone can read them directly.

Read the case documents → Read the AALDEF press release →

How you can help

This is a defining moment, and we cannot do it without you.

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Pray for us
Your du’a means more than you know. Keep the Marlboro Muslim Community in your prayers.
Today our struggle for a mosque.
Tomorrow yours.
Stand with the Marlboro Muslim Community

Our proposed mosque

What we are working to build at 449 Tennent Road

Proposed mosque front view
Front view Click to enlarge
Proposed mosque rear view
Rear view Click to enlarge
Proposed mosque aerial view
Aerial view Click to enlarge
Proposed mosque street view
Street view Click to enlarge
Enlarged view
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