Full Transcript: Abdul Motlib on Opening Al-Islah Mosque
Abdul: No, the second mosque in Hamtramck, first mosque was Bosnian. Bosnian American Council, same on Caniff between Gallagher and Conant, first mosque, Bosnian mosque. And second one is Al-Islah, 8535 something, or 3585, you know last building of Joseph Campau, left side. This building we make mosque for rent $350. Then after six month we cannot make space over there. After that we think, now we have to buy new building, we buy new building. Now this building also Friday everywhere is packed. Parking lot, we have two space for people in the parking lot— full. Even night time, now Ramadan month especially, at night time is our big prayer. Like one and half hour prayer time, big congregation. Around Al-Islah over there is big, big area. So we need more space. When you go inside you’ll be surprised how big it is.
Interviewer: Can you tell us about the challenges with getting the design approved for the new--
Abdul: New building? Oh is another big issue. This one is big district, commercial zone. This area, Caniff and Joseph Campau. It’s business district, commercial zone. But according to Hamtramck bylaw, mosque cannot be in business district, commercial zone. When we start this building I submit for occupancy, they deny it. Then we fight for zoning issue and we tell our story, after that all zoning board member they support, they say that’s okay to be mosque in business district, commercial zone, no problem. So when we buy this building also, we submit our application. They say no that’s big issue. City will lose $10,000 tax every year. And historical building, this historical building, this mosque’s new building is historical building in Hamtramck. But we say this historical building was before, now we want to make more historical! New design, new everything. They don’t want to change lot of things, but finally they approve, same way as when we submit our application to zoning board. Dr. Rojeloski he go to supporting us, also Sharon Buttry she go to supporting us. They say this is commercial district, business zone, we know that. But we know Al-Islah Islamic Center people, they need this building and they want to improve their religious activity. So we support this building to be a mosque. Then it is coming like a different issue for the planning. So finally— everything is passed. Now we start work. majority work is done, maybe another six month it’ll be.
Interviewer: Can you tell us about the challenges with getting the design approved for the new--
Abdul: New building? Oh is another big issue. This one is big district, commercial zone. This area, Caniff and Joseph Campau. It’s business district, commercial zone. But according to Hamtramck bylaw, mosque cannot be in business district, commercial zone. When we start this building I submit for occupancy, they deny it. Then we fight for zoning issue and we tell our story, after that all zoning board member they support, they say that’s okay to be mosque in business district, commercial zone, no problem. So when we buy this building also, we submit our application. They say no that’s big issue. City will lose $10,000 tax every year. And historical building, this historical building, this mosque’s new building is historical building in Hamtramck. But we say this historical building was before, now we want to make more historical! New design, new everything. They don’t want to change lot of things, but finally they approve, same way as when we submit our application to zoning board. Dr. Rojeloski he go to supporting us, also Sharon Buttry she go to supporting us. They say this is commercial district, business zone, we know that. But we know Al-Islah Islamic Center people, they need this building and they want to improve their religious activity. So we support this building to be a mosque. Then it is coming like a different issue for the planning. So finally— everything is passed. Now we start work. majority work is done, maybe another six month it’ll be.