MILWAUKEE’S 15-YEAR-OLD DREAM MOSQUE OPENS

Wrapping up its construction last month, the mosque was opened to worshippers ever since. (Photo: On Islam)

Brookfield, 12 Jumadil Awwal 1436/3 March 2015 (MINA) – After fifteen years of planning, a dream mosque in Brookfield city in Wisconsin’s largest city of Milwaukee opens its doors on Monday, March 2, offering 100 Muslim families a place to worship.

“We’ve had a lot of friends who have stood by us during this process,” Ahmed Quereshi with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee told Fox6now.com, On Islam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Starting 15 years ago with a dream, the Brookfield Mosque was built thanks to the efforts of several people from different faiths who fought to construct it. Actual work started after the Islamic Society of Milwaukee purchased the land five years ago.

It started raising money in 2012, and ended up raising the mosque’s entire budget. “Real estate and construction — this was a $3 million project,” Quereshi said.

The mosque’s permit and traffic concerns were the regular problems that face any new mosque in the US. But, most in public hearings supported the mosque. The public support was joined by interfaith leaders who gathered at the future site to show their approval for the project, and even Cardinal Timothy Dolan weighed in.

“I defend their right to do it,” Dolan said.

Wrapping up its construction last month, the mosque was opened to worshippers ever since. For them, the new mosque saves 30-minute drive to the nearest mosque.

Mosque leaders are preparing for an official opening ceremony with city leaders on Monday, March 2nd. They also plan an open house next weekend in which they will invite the public to their mosque.

“I can’t begin to tell you how excited and happy our community is,” Quereshi said. (T/P011/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)