Criticism remains as Farmersville gives early OK for Muslim cemetery

An Islamic association has again received permission from a Collin County town to move forward with plans for a Muslim cemetery despite opposition from residents seeking to block the project.

Officials in Farmersville approved a conceptual plan Monday for the cemetery just outside the town.

Town spokesman Michael Sullivan says the Islamic Association of Collin County two years ago presented a similar plan but never moved forward with a more detailed proposal, causing its earlier application to lapse.

Thirty-five acres have been purchased for the project. Muslim leaders say there are some five Muslim cemeteries in North Texas and they have little remaining space.

Suspicious residents say the cemetery would be a prelude to a mosque or a training center that would allow extremists into the region.

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