Albany-Dougherty Planning recommends Islamic Center cemetery approval

By Carlton Fletcher

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September 7, 2016

Cardiologist Dr. Khaja Mohammed talks about Muslim burials in India during a special called Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission meeting held to discuss the location of a cemetery on property owned by the Islamic Center of Albany. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

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The Albany-Dougherty Planning commissioners voted 7-1 Wednesday to recommend approval of a cemetery for the Albany Islamic Center.

Kenneth Fairbanks, who owns property near the proposed cemetery planned by the Islamic Center of Albany, said he is concerned about the cemetery’s impact on property value and flooding during heavy rains. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission board member Helen Young listens to discussion during a special called Planning meeting Wednesday. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission Chairman William Geer, left, and Commissioner Billy Merritt listen to discussion Wednesday concerning a proposed cemetery at 711 W. Highland Ave. in downtown Albany. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Mohammad Okashah, standing, explains the burial process of the Muslim faith to Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission member Jimmy Hall during a special called Planning meeting Wednesday. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Mustafa Omar discusses burial practices of the Muslim faith during a called Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission meeting Wednesday. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Umar Abdal-Aquil said the Islamic Center of Albany’s plan to create a cemetery on property the center owns at 711 W. Highland Ave. will help beautify downtown Albany. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Business owner Conny Turner asked the Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission Wednesday about the impact heavy rains would have on his Turner’s Garage and Body Shop business near a proposed cemetery. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Mohammad Okashah discusses the Islamic Center of Albany’s plan to put a cemetery on property the center owns at 711 W. Highland Ave. (Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher)

Author

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.

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Phone: 229-888-9300