KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — The Kennesaw City Council has denied a request by Muslim residents to open a mosque at a strip mall, setting up a possible legal battle in the community northwest of Atlanta.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports (http://bit.ly/12kyZfs) that the council on Monday night voted 4-1 against the request.

About 10 protestors gathered outside City Hall before the vote waving American flags and signs saying "no mosque."

Lawyer Doug Dillard, who represents the Suffa Dawat Center at Kennesaw, called the decision discriminatory and said it was "a blatant attack" on the group's First Amendment rights to freely practice religion.

Mayor Mark Mathews said before the vote that the council must follow city ordinances. He has said previously that the city planned to review the proposal based on code compliance.

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