POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- A coalition of ministers staged a protest outside Pompano Beach City Hall on Tuesday evening in opposition to a zoning change that allows the Islamic Center of South Florida to begin construction on a new mosque in a predominantly black community.

The city council voted 3-2 last month to change the zoning of the proposed site from residential to commercial, allowing the Islamic Center to erect a larger mosque on undeveloped land on Northwest 16th Avenue.

Commissioner Pat Larkins was one of the most outspoken critics of a new mosque. Larkins, who is black, said there is a perception in the neighborhood he represents that Muslims do not give back to the community.

"I am not opposed to constructing the facility," Larkins said. "I am opposed to the conduct of the Muslim business community in our neighborhood."

His comments raised furor among the Muslim community when he was quoted by The South Florida Sun-Sentinel as saying Muslims "don't contribute a nickel to any cause in terms of improving the community." He went on to say "most black folks see them as people that come in to rape the community and go away."

Another prominent black figure, Rev. O'Neal Dozier, shared a similar view.

"I believe that Islam is a dangerous, evil religion," Dozier said. "I think that it is one that we should try to prevent."

But Altaf Ali, executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations, disagreed with Dozier, calling him a "bigot" and "prejudice."

"I think his information and knowledge of Islam is very limited," Ali said.

Despite the protests, Islamic Center leaders said they hope to break ground on the new mosque within a year.