Posted on 05/13/2005 3:58:55 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
DEARBORN, Mich. (Reuters) - Hundreds of worshipers gathered on Friday for the first prayer session at a gilded new mosque that is yet another facility to serve the large Muslim population around Detroit.
A gold-domed mosque flanked by two minarets and a banquet hall were part of a $14 million expansion project to a Muslim school that, taken together, is now the Islamic Center of America, a 70,000 square-foot facility.
When a 700-seat auditorium and a two-story library and school are also completed, it will likely become the largest Islamic center in North America, Muslim officials said.
"The center is a symbol of the sharp growth and advancement of our Muslim community," Imam Hassan al-Qazwini, the spiritual leader of the mosque, told Reuters.
The main prayer hall accomodates 1,000 people, including 700 men in one area and 300 women in a balcony.
Builders imported doors from Turkey, wood from the Phillipines, granite from India and Brazil, and chandeliers from Egypt, said Alan Abbas, who built the center.
"It has been a labor of love," said Abbas, an immigrant from Lebanon.
The mosque is only a few miles from the new Arab American National Museum, the first museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to Arab Americans. It also opened doors this month.
Al-Qazwini said a major goal of the new mosque will be to reach out to non-Muslims to educate people about Islam.
"The center will offer a great opportunity for non-Muslims to come and learn about Islam," he said. "There are many misconceptions existing in the mind of non-Muslims in this country about Islam, unfortunately."
I saw a half dozen A10s headed in that direction yesterday and I couldn't help but imagine the damage they could do in that neighborhood.
My first thought on seeing that picture was 'twin towers'.
The epicenter of an IED blast?
"Just what exactly is an "Islamic Center"?"
Not sure, but physcists call it a "critical mass."
I remember driving past this place while it was under construction.
If anyone had seen me making hand gestures or heard what I uttered while in the privacy of my vehicle, I might have been arrested for "hate crimes."
I think I'll drive past there again and play Israeli music LOUD from my car speakers.
They get to have twin towers, infidels don't anymore.
What a nightmare.
A huge Michigan Mosque was mistakenly razed today to make way for a Katz's Kosher Pickle factory. A spokesman for Controlled Demolition, Inc. exclaimed "PERFECT!! Not one pane of broken glass."
A *Censored due to the following:*
"Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts."
Was:
Soon to be:
I call it a target.
Those gold domes would probably make conspicuous targets....
I wonder when the Islamic School of terror and beheadings opens. Hopefully the FBI will have this mosque staked out and not neglect to do it because of some PC multicultural crap.
American lives depend on it.
Paid for in full by US dollars from oil purchases.
I saw this being built when I was in Dearborn 2 years ago. About 50 yards to the west of it is St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral. (Nowhere near as big as the mosque!)
Not Quite Plagarism, but close.
When can we expect to see NOW protesting the segregation of the congregation?
Love that line!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.