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Riverhead Islamic Center proposed for Harrison Avenue

Riverhead Islamic center

A house across from Riverhead High School that is currently overgrown by weeds could soon turn into an Islamic center.

Riverhead Islamic Center is seeking site plan approval to convert the vacant single-family residence at 751 Harrison Ave. into a house of worship. 

Town Planning Board members discussed the application last Thursday. Plans include an upstairs dwelling unit and a nearly 750-square-foot addition to the existing 1,576-square-foot house. The property is just over an acre in size.

Before the board set a July 7 public hearing to discuss the application, member Ed Densieski said he wanted more information about the proposal.

“I understand the part about the house of worship and the dwelling,” he said. “I’m just trying to understand what is Riverhead Islamic Center?”

While no one spoke on the applicant’s behalf during the meeting, town planning and building administrator Jeff Murphree said Riverhead Islamic Center representatives are scheduled to address the Planning Board at its June 16 work session.

Suffolk County records show that Riverhead Islamic Center Inc. in Bethpage purchased the property in October 2014 for $165,000.

Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, a dentist from Jamaica, Queens, is listed as the applicant. When reached by phone last Wednesday, Dr. Iqbal deferred comment to project architect Abdulbasit Surti.

Mr. Surti did not return phone calls seeking comment this week.

Top Caption: Riverhead Islamic Center has proposed converting this house on Harrison Avenue into a place of worship. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

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