A decision barring an American Muslim group from holding large national gatherings in a rural Maryland town has been called discriminatory, a lawyer specializing in religious rights argued. A zoning appeals board in the town of Walkersville voted unanimously to deny the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community permission to use area farmland for religious purposes. The board’s decision is irrational and discriminatory said Roman Storzer, attorney for the group. This conflict has been defined from day one by a desire to keep a Muslim group out of the area said Walkersville Mayor Ralph Whitmore. The Ahmadis had hoped to establish a small mosque on the site for regular use by about 20 nearby families, and hoped to also build two gymnasiums for use during conventions and recreation.
