Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Near the corner of 700 South and 700 East in Salt Lake City stands a building you may pass by without even realizing it's importance. It's Utah's first mosque, but for Imam Muhammed Shoyab Mehtar with the Islamic Society of Greater Salt, it's so much more.
"All the sins and bad things that go through my mind throughout the course of the day the best place I can ask my God for forgiveness is in a place of worship," said Imam Mehtar.
It's this place of worship that draws Muslims from all over the over the Salt Lake Valley.
"This place has created much meaning," Imam Mehtar said.
It's this place of worship that is bursting at the seams.
"Everything is filled," Imam Mehtar said as he motioned around the mosque. "It's highly congested."
Masjid Al Noor first opened its doors in the 1980s to a handful of worshippers.
"Now 250 people come regularly," Imam Mehtar said.
Those who can't find a place to pray on the top floor end up in the basement.
"It's very narrow and cramped, unfortunately," Imam Mehtar said.
The Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake is making big plans expand and rebuild the mosque to make it nearly twice its size.
"The proposed structure is quite costly and will run about $2 million," Imam Mehtar said.
They've already began fundraising for the project. It will have conference rooms, expanded areas for washing and athletic facilities.
"Not just worship but do things of enjoyment," said Imam Mehtar.
Imam Mehtar hopes it will be a place not just to help Muslims, but all members of the community.
"It can bring greater meaning for us and Utahns as well as at the same time fulfilling what we need to fulfill," he said.
The project has already cleared several hurdles with the city, most recently getting approval to construct the new dome.
The next step is to go before the Historic Landmarks Committee in April to get final approval.
