Tennessee Muslim Organization Challenges Denial of Mosque Permit in Federal Court

Complaint alleges religious discrimination and unequal treatment under federal and Tennessee law

In a newly filed federal lawsuit, the Bartlett Muslim Society accuses the City of Bartlett, Tennessee of religious discrimination after the city rejected the group’s application to build a mosque despite its compliance with zoning regulations and a city-requested traffic study that found no concerns.

The civil complaint, filed on July 25, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, claims the city imposed unjustified burdens and delays on the mosque proposal, including a $20,000 traffic study the city later disregarded. The mosque’s application was ultimately denied amid public comments containing overt anti-Muslim statements, which city officials did not address.

The lawsuit comes after nearly two years of permitting efforts by the Bartlett Muslim Society, a small nonprofit representing about 20 Muslim families. The group seeks to replace its cramped and rented commercial prayer space with a permanent mosque on 8.2 acres it purchased in 2023. The land is zoned for residential use where religious institutions are allowed with a Special Use Permit.

Despite favorable recommendations from city staff and a comprehensive traffic study by a transportation expert showing no adverse impact, the city’s Planning Commission voted unanimously to reject the mosque application in December 2024. The city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen affirmed the rejection in February 2025.

The complaint alleges that during public hearings, city residents stated Muslims “do not believe in God” and suggested they convert to Christianity. It also details how several churches were granted permits without being subjected to traffic studies or extensive delays, despite similar or greater community opposition and traffic concerns.

A member of the Planning Commission, is quoted in the complaint saying, “It doesn’t matter to me about a study, I actually live through it,” indicating he would not consider the traffic analysis.

The lawsuit, filed under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and Tennessee’s Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, seeks injunctive relief requiring the city to approve the permit, as well as compensatory and nominal damages.

If successful, the court could mandate approval of the mosque project and award the plaintiff attorneys’ fees and damages for delays and incurred costs. No court dates have yet been set, but the plaintiff is seeking expedited relief to resume construction planning.

Commentary

At its heart, this case is about whether a local government can treat one religious group differently than others when it comes to land use, specifically the right to build a house of worship. The Bartlett Muslim Society alleges that while Christian churches were swiftly approved without burdensome requirements, its members were forced through a prolonged and costly process, only to be denied a permit despite meeting every condition the city imposed.

Under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, local governments cannot impose a substantial burden on religious exercise unless there is a compelling reason, and even then, only if there is no less restrictive way to achieve it. Courts take that seriously. If the mosque met all zoning requirements and passed a city-mandated traffic study, the city’s refusal may be difficult to justify legally.

A key issue is whether the city applied its rules neutrally. If churches were not required to perform traffic studies, or if public hostility toward Muslims influenced the decision, courts may find that the city’s actions were not only unequal but unlawful. Government cannot play favorites when it comes to religion.

This case is likely to turn not just on what the city did, but why it did it. The plaintiffs argue that anti-Muslim bias tainted the process. If the court agrees that religious discrimination motivated the permit denial, the city could be ordered to reverse its decision and compensate the plaintiff for the costs of delay.

Tags: Bartlett mosque lawsuit, RLUIPA Tennessee, religious zoning discrimination, ACLU Bartlett case, mosque permit denial

Filing:

Bartlett Muslim Society v. City of Bartlett, Tennessee, (W TN, filed 7/25/2025)

https://live-aclu-tennessee.pantheonsite.io/sites/default/files/complaint_redacted.pdf