Muslim leaders consider legal action after mosque rejection

Muslim leaders are considering their options for legal action after the St. Anthony City Council rejected their plan to locate an Islamic place of worship in the city. The council voted 4-1 against the center earlier this week.

City leaders say the decision was solely a land-use issue. Late last year, the city council also denied the application of a Christian church that wanted to locate in a similar area. About 150 people packed into the council's meeting room this week, speaking both for and against the Islamic center.

St. Anthony is just one of many cities in the U.S. that have faced controversy in recent years over whether to allow the construction or renovation of a mosque.

Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Heather Weaver, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union program on freedom of religion and belief.