Mosque in Los Gatos neighborhood becomes focus of local complaints as it seeks to extend hours

LOS GATOS, Calif. (KGO) -- Located on a quaint street in Los Gatos, the West Valley Muslim Association has been a gathering point for local Muslims for years. But being a community hub has also brought challenges, according to some who live nearby.

"It's very disruptive. It's very impactful in a negative way to our quality of life. We have safety concerns," said Kim Ratcliff, a Los Gatos resident.

Neighbors like Ratcliff say the mosque has led to an increase in traffic, headlights shining through bedroom windows and noise. Ratcliff says sometimes these incidents happen after the start of the city's quiet time at 10 p.m.

The city of Los Gatos says that the mosque has a conditional use permit. However, it has also recently applied to have that permit modified.

If approved, the mosque would be able to operate for extended hours, so prayers can be held before sunrise and up until midnight during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month which began Tuesday night.

MORE: Ramadan: How Muslims observe the holiest month in the Islamic calendar

"If they were willing to compromise, then I'd love to hear that. But they have not been able to offer any reasonable compromise to any of the neighbors here," said resident Mark Leonard.

On Wednesday evening, the mosque invited us inside as people were saying prayers and breaking their fast. WVMA's religious leader, Imam Basil Farooq, says he's listening to his neighbors' concerns.

"This is something that we talk to our community about as well very seriously. That we're out of this area before 10 o'clock, and that we keep it as quiet as we can even before 10 o'clock hits," Farooq said.

The imam says while WVMA wants to be a good community partner, some mosque members feel like they're being unfairly targeted.

"We constantly keep coming back under the microscope, and it's almost like we have to prove why we have to exist in the first place," said Farooq.

A sentiment denied by people like Ratcliff, who says she just wants everyone to get along.

"It's not a religious thing. It's just that this type of event and activity does not belong in a residential neighborhood," she said.

WVMA applied for the updated conditional use permit in September 2024.