Agreement Will Allow Islamic Center in St. Anthony

ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE, Minn. (AP) - Federal prosecutors and the city of St. Anthony Village have reached a settlement that will allow an Islamic center to have a worship space in the Minneapolis suburb.

U.S. Attorney Andy Luger announced a settlement Tuesday that resolves a federal lawsuit accusing the city of religious discrimination. Luger says the settlement was reached last week after marathon negotiations and shows that freedom of religion has prevailed.

Under the settlement, Abu-Huraira will be allowed to worship in the basement of the St. Anthony Business Center.

The space can be used for prayer, weddings and other religious ceremonies. The City Council voted to reject the proposed Islamic center in 2012, saying it wasn't compatible with the site's light industrial zoning.

The agreement still needs approval from the City Council.