Albany commission OKs Islamic Center cemetery

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September 28, 2016

Albany Islamic Center President Mohammad Okashah addresses the Albany City Commission Tuesday night. The commission approved by a 5-2 vote a request for special approval to build a cemetery in Albany. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

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Despite implied threats of a lawsuit from a former city commissioner and concerns from citizens about property values and health hazards, the Albany City Commission voted 5-2 Tuesday night to allow the Albany Islamic Center to build a 123-plot cemetery on property the center owns at 711 W. Highland Ave.

Albany Islamic Center member Umar abdal Aquil said the center is “keepers of trust” and will adhere to conditions placed on the center by the Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Albany Islamic Center President Mohammad Okashah, left, and center member Umar abdal Aquil talk during a break between Tuesday’s Albany City Commission work and business meetings. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Albany-Dougherty Planning Services Director Paul Forgey outlines criteria used to determine a special approval request by the Albany Islamic Center to build a cemetery at 711 W. Highland Ave. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Woodie Fields told Albany city commissioners Tuesday that they are not addressing citizen concerns as they relate to the approval of a cemetery at the Albany Islamic Center. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Albany City Attorney Nathan Davis, left, talks with Ward I Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard before Tuesday’s commission meeting. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

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Carlton Fletcher

Except for a brief period, Albany Herald Editor Carlton Fletcher has been a newspaperman, working as Sports Writer/Columnist for the weekly Ocilla Star, as Sports Writer/Sports Editor with The Tifton Gazette, and as Sports Writer/Copy Editor/News Reporter/Features Editor and Editor of the paper. He has won numerous awards for sports, news, business and column writing, including a first-place Business Writing award in last year’s Georgia Press Association awards competition.

Read Carlton’s stories.

Phone: 229-888-9300

Albany commission OKs Islamic Center cemetery

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