Like mass Muslim immigration, a growing trend. via Mosque takes over former Wheaton church – chicagotribune.com. h/t TROP
A mosque recently moved into a former
church building on the northeast side of Wheaton, becoming what is
believed to be the city’s first Islamic institution.
In late August, the Islamic Center of
Wheaton bought and moved into the 26,193-square-foot former First
Assembly of God Church at 900 E. Geneva Road, at the southwest corner of
Geneva Road and President Street. Records show that, through a bank
trust, the Islamic Center of Wheaton paid $3.15 million for the church
and its 7.08-acre property.
Mosque spokesman Abraham Antar said he and
his fellow congregants are excited about their new home, which he said
is Wheaton’s first Muslim community.
“Wheaton is a city of faith, and we’re
very privileged to be able to establish an Islamic community for Wheaton
and especially for the western suburbs,” he said. “There are a lot of
Muslims in Wheaton and the surrounding towns. It’s unfortunate for the
(First Assembly of God) church that they lost their opportunity to stay
there.”
Antar also said Islamic Center of Wheaton
leaders are looking forward to getting to know other religious
institutions in the area.
“This is a beautiful location, and one of
the great attractions is that it gives us an opportunity as an Islamic
organization to really connect with other churches,” he said. “It really
presents us with an opportunity to really bridge the relationship with
all congregations within the area. We haven’t really started yet, but we
would like to.”
Antar said about 700 to 800 men and women have been worshiping at the mosque each Friday.
If 700-800 can attend on Friday, when most people are working,
how did they afford the $3.15 million to buy it? That’s nearly $4,000
per person.
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