The developer behind the stalled mosque-centered community dubbed “Madinah Lakes” is facing increased scrutiny relating to his past business dealings and criminal record.
Faraaz Mohammed, who also goes by the name Faraaz Yussuf, has been attempting to build a “Masjid-centric” community in Lino Lakes, Minn., for months. During much of that time, Mohammed has been dealing with a civil lawsuit, unrelated to Madinah Lakes, which alleges that Mohammed committed fraud.
According to court documents, a company called Royal Priesthood, LLC sued Mohamed and two companies associated with Mohammed in June of 2023. The lawsuit alleges that Royal Priesthood hired the two companies to perform $62,000 of renovations to a building. Representing the businesses, Mohammed allegedly told Royal Priesthood that the companies were licensed contractors and could perform the renovations.
However, the lawsuit says the businesses turned out not to be licensed contractors, the necessary renovations never took place, and the only work that was done was an incorrect roofing job.
While several counts were leveled against the companies, Mohammed himself was sued for fraud, piercing the corporate veil, and unjust enrichment and conversion.
According to the complaint, Mohammed obtained payment up front with fraudulent intent “and then completed very little work on the project, intentionally taking the money and then leaving the project incomplete and the Contract unfulfilled.”
The lawsuit also says “Mohammed uses aliases or other names publicly, including the name Faraaz Yussuf, and possibly others, to confuse, mislead, or otherwise defraud persons with whom he does business.”
The case was set to go to trial on July 18. However, court documents show that a settlement was reached just this week. According to those documents, Royal Priesthood’s legal team informed the court that the settlement involved scheduled payments through the month of September. As such, the company asked the court to keep the case open through September to make sure payments are made.
The civil case was not the first time Mohammed has encountered legal troubles.
In 2011, Mohammed was charged with felony theft by swindle and later convicted. However, court records indicate that the conviction was eventually deemed a misdemeanor because the sentence imposed was within the limits of a misdemeanor.
Through another company, known as Zikar Holdings, Mohammed is attempting to build a mosque-centered community called “Madinah Lakes” in Lino Lakes. Zikar Holdings registered with the secretary of state in December 2023, and only has future projects featured on its website, with no completed developments.
The “Masjid-centric” community would span roughly 150 acres, contain 434 housing units, and be built in the northwest corner of Lino Lakes.
A 48,400 square foot mosque would be the centerpiece of the community.
At city council meetings discussing the proposed development, citizens have repeatedly tried to call attention to Mohammed’s legal history. In short, concerned residents have voiced concerns about whether someone with Mohammed’s track record should be developing a multi-million-dollar development in Lino Lakes.
Last week, the Lino Lakes City Council officially authorized a one-year residential development moratorium in a portion of the city that includes the prospective Madinah Lakes site. That moratorium will likely be in place until at least August of 2025, giving the city further opportunities to study the proposed development site. As such, the mosque-centered development will not be progressing any time soon.
Additionally, hundreds of Lino Lakes residents have signed petitions supporting a trio of local referendums that would cap housing expansion in the city, ban the development of neighborhoods targeted toward specific demographics, and require prospective developers to undergo a rigorous background check involving the developer’s experience; financial stability; licensing; criminal record; and reputation.
Should these referendums be passed by voters in November, they would essentially prevent developments like Madinah Lakes from going forward in the future.
Given the moratorium, and the possible ballot referendums, the future of Madinah Lakes is uncertain. Alpha News asked Mohammed what his plans are for Madinah Lakes now that the moratorium has been put in place. Additionally, Alpha News reached out to Mohammed about the civil case and his past conviction. However, Mohammed did not respond to any questions for this story.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
