As Muslims Celebrate Eid, Plymouth Mosque Eyes Expansion
Friday was a day of prayer and immense joy for billions of Muslims around the world.
“You hang out with family, friends, you know, celebrate after a whole month of fasting,” said Mustafa Hashif, a visitor to the Northwest Islamic Community Center in Plymouth.
For the last 29 days, Muslims fasted from morning until night as a way to become closer to their faith and practice self-discipline.
The end of that period of Ramadan is called Eid al-Fitr, the breaking of the fast.
“[Friday’s] a day of celebration for us,” said Shaykh Saifullah Muhammad of the Northwest Islamic Community Center. “That we completed the entire month and that we are thankful for God, for all of his blessings.”
Shaykh Saifullah Muhammad leads prayer at the Northwest Islamic Community Center.
For many Muslims in the Twin Cities, part of that celebration happens in Plymouth.
An estimated 3,000 people visited the mosque for one of several Eid prayer services throughout the day.
“I don’t think I can really express it in words, but it’s just so beautiful to see so many beautiful faces,” said Muhammad.
Yet the Northwest Islamic Community Center is only able to accommodate so many people.
“It gets packed at times, which is not the best,” said Omar Tafroukht, who was celebrating Eid in Plymouth. “But it’s still a good thing, because that means everybody’s coming in.”
Plymouth mosque plans expansion
With a growing community, there’s now an effort underway to renovate the building to allow more room for prayer and shrink the dining hall.
Leaders at the Northwest Islamic Community Center expect construction to begin later this spring.
“The idea is just to make it more comfortable, make it a little bit more family friendly and try the best we can to maximize the space that we have here,” said Muhammad.
An artist’s rendering of the renovated prayer space at the Northwest Islamic Community Center in Plymouth.
At some point in the near future, they’ll need to build something bigger.
But for now, the plans are in place to help accommodate the crowds by the time Ramadan comes again next March.
“It’s amazing to have this many people and we’re just excited to welcome them,” Muhammad said. “And hopefully when we do the expansion, we can welcome more and accommodate more people.”
Related: New Hope Company Launches Online Ramadan Camp
