Bayonne battle against mosque

BAYONNE, N.J. (AP) -- A northern New Jersey city has delayed its decision on the fate of an Islamic community center.

Dozens of protesters from both sides gathered with signs in Bayonne prior to Tuesday night's zoning board meeting.

The board postponed its decision after a 3 1/2 hour public hearing. The board says there are two experts who still need to be heard from and that they ran out of time to finish testimonies.

Waheed Akbar, secretary of the Muslim nonprofit that wants to convert a warehouse into the community center, says he is disappointed by the postponement.

Opponents of the plan say their main issue is a lack of space for parking.

Supporters say there are no mosques in Bayonne.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 14.

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