Source: phillytrib.com

No specific date has been announced for the opening of a new 21,000-square-foot mosque currently being constructed in North Philadelphia. — TRIBUNE PHOTO BY SAMARIA BAILEY

Even as they face a nation that has nominated presidential candidate prejudiced against Muslims, and a community that has mixed emotions about its presence in their neighborhood, the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Philadelphia Chapter, will open a 21,000-square-foot mosque currently being constructed in North Philadelphia with promises to improve the neighborhood. No specific date has been set for the opening.

After three years in the making, the leaders say the house of prayer will be more than just a place for Muslims to worship and gather, but also a force for change in the North Philadelphia community that encompasses 13th Street and Glenwood Avenue and surrounding streets.

“It’s a House of God where anybody can come and worship God,” said AMC Philadelphia Vice President Ahmad Nuruddin. “But particularly … the Muslims will gather there. But it’s also going to be open for people of all faiths to come and gather and have a peaceful environment that they can build up community activities and build up the community with, even worship their God there. Nobody would stop them from doing that.”

Mujeebullah Chaudhary, President, Philadelphia Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, continued that, obviously, there would be rules as any other house of worship and that as long as the are not coming in and causing a distraction, worshippers would be welcome for the “unification of all humanity.

The new mosque will include two halls — one for men and one for women — that will each be able to hold 300 people. A basement, said Chaudhary, will serve as the multipurpose room, where special events such as weddings and community outreach programs will operate. Specifically, Ahmadiyya leaders envision a soup kitchen, educational classes, computer classes and job seeking assistance, as a few of the efforts they will implement once the mosque is completed.

“We would be open to listening to the community and open to their suggestions,” said Nuruddin. “We want to work together with the community to put together programs to best serve them. A mosque is a place of peace for the community and it’s also an opportunity for people to come, connect and… read more at phillytrib.com