"A $3 million project:" It began 15 years ago with a dream; on Monday, Brookfield Mosque officially opens
BROOKFIELD (WITI) -- Waukesha County is home to more than 100 Muslim families, and now, they have a new place to worship. On Monday, March 2nd, the Brookfield Mosque. located on Pheasant Drive near Calhoun Road officially opened.
Construction on the mosque wrapped up in January. Worshippers have been using the building ever since, and now, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee wants to invite the public in.
The Brookfield Mosque began 15 years ago with a dream. It's a building that several people from different faiths fought to build. Ground was broken in July 2013, and a rough winter caused a delay in construction -- but now, the building is finished.
"We've had a lot of friends who have stood by us during this process," Ahmed Quereshi with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee said.
The Islamic Society of Milwaukee purchased the land five years ago. It started raising money in 2012, and ended up raising the mosque's entire budget.
"Real estate and construction -- this was a $3 million project," Quereshi said.
And it wasn't always smooth sailing.
In 2012, public hearings on the mosque's permit drew a vocal few who opposed it. Some, for traffic reasons and others for concerns about Islam itself. But most at those hearings supported the project.
Interfaith leaders soon gathered at the future site to show their approval for the project, and even Cardinal Timothy Dolan weighed in.
"I defend their right to do it," Dolan said.
Brookfield has upwards of 40 Muslim families who no longer have to drive 30 minutes to worship. Since starting services last month, the mosque has already drawn in about 100 worshippers at one time. The worship area can accommodate around 120 people.
An official opening ceremony with city leaders was held on Monday, March 2nd and an open house is planned for next weekend.
"I can't begin to tell you how excited and happy our community is," Quereshi said.
The open house is set for Saturday, March 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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