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 can't stand it.
Heads up.
West Mecca.
Still waiting for the headline "Catholics Hold Mass At Huge Riyadh Cathedral".
Where is Mayor Hubbard now that we need him?
Voicing my initial thoughts would result in my account being instantly banned.
... oh, look... a butterfly!
Anyone?
Now isn't that kind of these beasts...the women have their own segregated space.
With a mosque that big, I wonder how big are the loudspeakers on top of the building. Imagine having them blaring at 4 am in the morning
The chewy part in the middle
True. Many non-Muslims do have misconceptions, such as that Islam is a religion of peace with any redeeming value whatever. Fortunately, the number of such benighted non-Muslims dwindles daily.
Those of us who see things more clearly recognize the offensive Muslim cult for what it is, and look forward to a day when the Prophet Mohammed (MHBBDIH*) will have no followers at all on our beloved American soil.
_________
*May He Be Buggered Daily In Hell
A madrassa for adults.
Wonnnerfull - As Lawrence Welk used to say
LOL---THAT was my first thought---
That I was glad that I live in Texas and won't have to listen to the prayers blared out of the probable humongous speakers, what? six times a day?
Looks like a closed down Friendlys Ice Cream restaurant that someone made into a fort.
"We have a prophet by whom we will conquer all men." -- Ishaq 47 1
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.