Developer, HOA apologize above Ramadan decoration wonderful

LEHI, Utah — A working day after KSL Television set initial documented a Muslim family members obtained a good from its home owners affiliation over their Ramadan decorations, the HOA and the neighborhood developer have apologized. 

Ramadan, a annually globally Islamic follow in which Muslims rapidly for a thirty day period from sunrise to sundown as a form of prayer, reflection, and neighborhood engagement, took location April 12 – May 12 this 12 months. To commemorate the spiritual custom, Ahsan Ali Khan instructed KSL Television set his loved ones hung a “Happy Ramadan” indicator, some lights about the porch, and a couple other things alongside their walkway. 

“We are inclined to have some decorations about the dwelling so we can specific that we’re celebrating Ramadan and develop an ambiance of Ramadan, primarily for the young children,” reported Khan.

Ramadan decorations result in HOA fine 

For about a 7 days throughout Ramadan, the Khan household still left on vacation. When they came residence, they discovered a observe on their door from the local community homeowners’ association. The discover warned the family members their seen Ramadan decorations exterior violated HOA specifications. Up coming to the discover, stamped a few times later, was a $25 good for failing to take down the decorations. 

Khan says the condition took him by shock. In spite of working towards a distinct faith, Khan claims his loved ones strings Xmas lights each yr he stated that is in no way been a issue.

“My Christmas decorations are way a lot more extravagant than the Ramadan decorations simply because the full household is lit up,” laughed Khan.

In accordance to Khan, he tried to advise the community head of the HOA about the Ramadan decorations. Khan reported the group HOA manager did not pay attention, insisting he should really fork out the $25 penalty. 

Community rallies powering the Khan family 

Khan stood by his selection not to pay the $25 good, with support from his Lehi neighbors.

“The neighborhood help has been too much to handle,” claimed Khan.

Neighbors wrote letters to the HOA, and dozens signed a petition protesting the great. 

“I individually do think this is discrimination,” said Khan. “They are the ones who insisted that they gather the great and I as an American will not pay a high-quality for celebrating my freedom of faith.”

Apologies from HOA, developer

The enterprise that runs the HOA for the Khans’ Lehi neighborhood, CCMC, issued a assertion Tuesday addressing the concerns. 

“As a corporation, we celebrate all our residents and take pleasure in their assorted backgrounds and rich culture they bring to our community. The individuals who makeup CCMC price just about every of our people and are always ready to do the job through any fears and issues that occur,” the statement browse. “It will have to be built very clear, we provide our sincere apology for the avoidable situation involving the Khan household and their celebration of Ramadan. Their dwelling decorations for Ramadan must not have occur into query. … We have constantly taken very seriously the need to have for ongoing awareness which is why we are operating with specialists to provide in-depth schooling to our staff members. Circumstances these types of as these make very clear the need for us to improve this effort and hard work to guarantee each individual group is being managed accordingly.” 

Developer Ivory Residences, which designed the community, also posted a statement on Tuesday. 

We are past unhappy with how the Khan family was handled in the Ivory Ridge group. Please see the beneath assertion we have shared with the house owner and Ivory Ridge group. pic.twitter.com/sgQnOKad4Y

— Ivory Households (@IvoryHomes) May perhaps 25, 2021

Also, Ivory Residences said they are “committed to supporting range and making communities in which anyone is welcomed.”