The United American Muslim Association files lawsuit against The Town of Islip

The United American Muslim Association is suing the Town of Islip Zoning Board of Appeals over their reversal in allowing the UAMA’s proposed parochial boarding school.

The UAMA purchased the Bay Shore property on 26 South Saxon Avenue because of its history of religious worship. Furthermore, the property acted from 1926 to 1972 as a Catholic boarding school for students. Following this logic, the UAMA sought to open a Muslim boarding school on the property.

Initially, the ZBA gave the plan an approval. However, months later, the ZBA reversed their decision in response to an appeal made by residents.

Explicating citing the town’s code, the UAMA claims that it specifically allows for their school. “The town’s code permits parochial schools as of right in the Residence AAA District, and the town’s own plans examiner confirmed in writing—before UAMA purchased the property—that UAMA’s school was permitted and that boarding was a permissible accessory use,” the lawsuit petition states.

The ZBA’s reversal following an appeal made by two residents was then seemingly not acting based on code; rather, the UAMA claims they acted based on outdated promotional material that the association repeatedly disclaimed.

Back in September, the Zoning Board held a meeting in which town residents got the chance to speak out on whether they would prefer the school to be run in Bay Shore. What ensued was five hours of citizens expressing outrage over the notion of a Muslim school in the area, citing that the code does not allow it or the noise would be unbearable, along with a slew of other comments that ultimately had no standing based on information provided by UAMA and the town itself.

As the ZBA’s reversal hinged on an appeal made by residents, the town ultimately sided with these upset residents. Currently, the UAMA seeks to override this decision.

“UAMA brings this proceeding pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules (‘CPLR’) seeking a judgment annulling the decision by the ZBA, filed with the Office of the Town Clerk on Sept. 24, 2026, (the ‘ZBA Decision’), and reinstating the Plans Examiner’s Jan. 21, 2026 determination. The ZBA Decision reversed the Plans Examiner’s determination and held that the boarding component of UAMA’s proposed parochial school is not a permitted accessory use under Town Code § 68-48(A)(1)(j),” the lawsuit petition shares.

“Unless annulled, the ZBA Decision will prevent UAMA from operating Bay Shore Academy as intended and forces it to seek discretionary approvals, delaying the school’s opening by months.”

Following the reinstatement of the plans examiner’s determination that the boarding school is “a permissible accessory use,” the UAMA seeks costs and disbursements from the ZBA.