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""By Ari Cohn, Tribune September 30, 2006 God goes by many names in Scottsdale, more so now than ever. The city’s growth has brought with it adherents of many faiths, who pray in their own ways and often in different languages. Some have reached a critical mass and have built their own houses of worship, in addition to the 81 Christian churches of various denominations here. The reception given to members of the Bahai Faith, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish communities generally has been warm and welcoming, according to representatives of those denominations....(SNIP).... Growth in the Muslim community has followed a similar pattern, said M. Zuhdi Jasser, a congregant at the Islamic Center of the Northeast Valley. The mosque opened about a year ago at 12125 E. Via Linda. “It’s part of the general growth we see in the Valley. We certainly see new Muslims coming in to Scottsdale every month,” he said. “There are newcomers quite frequently, usually people moving in from out of town.” About 200 families belong to the mosque, Jasser said. “Construction’s not complete internally, but we got to the point where we can move our services there,” he said. “We used to have services in a hotel.” However, the services at the Pima Inn were meant to be a temporary measure. Azra Hussain, a spokeswoman for the Islamic center, said when the new mosque opened it was well-received. “I really can’t tell you enough how positive it’s been. We’ve been welcomed by the neighborhood,” she said." (SNIP)

One big happy faaaaaaamily.....