American farm town rocked by plans for Muslim retreat
WALKERSVILLE, Maryland: The corn fields and church steeples proudly displayed on Walkersville’s municipal seal reflect traditions that some residents say are threatened by plans for a Muslim mosque and convention site in the rural town of 5,600.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, whose origins trace back to a Pakistani holy man at the turn of the 20th century, insists it will be a peaceful, friendly neighbor. But its proposal — including an annual gathering of thousands of Ahmadis — is being resisted by the town’s overwhelmingly white, Christian residents who are worried about Islamic extremists as the Iraq war rages on.
“Muslims are a whole different culture from us,” said Ralph Whitmore, the town’s mayor, taking a break from stacking inventory at his livestock feed store. “The situation with the Muslims is a touchy worldwide situation, so people are antsy over that.”
Two days after Ahmadiyya leaders fielded questions at a public forum Aug. 20, town Commissioner Chad Weddle introduced a zoning amendment that would prohibit places of worship, schools, private clubs and antique shops on land zoned for agriculture — including the 224-acre (91-hectare) farm the Ahmadis have contracted to buy.
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