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Islamic Center of Harrison, Inc. v. Islamic Science Foundation, Inc.

Citations: 216 A.D.2d 357; 628 N.Y.S.2d 179; 1995 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 6257

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; June 12, 1995; New York; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The case involves a legal dispute over the use of a mosque and Islamic cultural center, heard by the Supreme Court, Westchester County. The plaintiffs appealed two orders: one requiring them to vacate the premises and another denying their request for a preliminary injunction. The court affirmed these orders, highlighting the distinction between a religious corporation, which handles property and temporal affairs, and a religious society, which oversees spiritual matters. The plaintiffs, failing to prove a legitimate claim to control the property owned by the defendant Islamic Cultural Center of New York, Inc., were found to have occupied the premises under a non-renewed lease. As a result, the court agreed with the lower court's decision to deny the preliminary injunction, as the plaintiffs did not meet the necessary legal requirements to continue occupying the property against the defendants' wishes. Additional arguments by the plaintiffs were dismissed as lacking merit, solidifying the outcome in favor of the defendants.

Legal Issues Addressed

Distinction Between Religious Corporation and Religious Society

Application: The court emphasized the differing roles of a religious corporation and a religious society, with the former managing property and temporal affairs and the latter handling spiritual matters.

Reasoning: The court affirmed these orders, noting the distinction between a religious corporation (which governs property and temporal affairs) and a religious society (which manages spiritual matters).

Lease and Property Rights

Application: The court found that the plaintiffs' occupancy was based on a non-renewed lease, which did not support their claim to continue using the property.

Reasoning: The plaintiffs' occupancy was based on a non-renewed lease.

Preliminary Injunction Requirements

Application: The plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction was denied because they failed to demonstrate a legitimate claim to temporal control over the property.

Reasoning: The plaintiffs failed to establish legitimate claims to temporal control over the property, which is owned by the defendant Islamic Cultural Center of New York, Inc.