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Simpson Thacher Client Breaks Ground On First Mosque in Northwest Mississippi Following Court Consent Decree
11.08.22
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Simpson Thacher client Abraham House of God broke ground on the first mosque in northwestern Mississippi on October 23, 2022. The ground breaking follows the Firm’s successful federal litigation brought together with the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi on behalf of the mosque and its founders against Horn Lake, Mississippi, officials who unlawfully denied zoning approval for the proposed mosque due to anti-Muslim bias. Earlier this year, the District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi entered a consent decree mandating the approval of the construction. Jonathan Youngwood, Global Co-Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department who led the Firm’s pro bono team advising the mosque and its founders, was quoted noting, “I don’t think there was any question that the original process that took place in the spring of 2021 was discriminatory.” He further explained that he hopes that this will serve as an example for other places where religious minorities may potentially face opposition.
The Simpson Thacher team also included Janet Gochman, Avia Gridi, Christopher Kraft and Nihara Choudhri.
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