Controversial New Mosque in Pompano Beach May be Years Away

June 30, 2007

Source: Sun Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbmosque0630nbjun30,0,4725797.story

Pompano Beach Abdesslan Jerrardi regularly stops at the Islamic Center of South Florida for Friday prayers.

But Jerrardi, of Margate, longs for the day when Muslims are not packed into the men's worship room, elbow to elbow.

"A lot people want to come here, but where's the room?" he said.

Prayer areas aren't the only tight spaces. Drivers cram cars into the mosque's tiny parking lot or sometimes are ticketed for illegally parking on the sidewalks near the building on Northeast Sixth Street. About 130 children learn about Islam across the street at Pompano Middle School in seven rented classrooms.

The center's need for more space led it to plan a 29,000-square-foot building on a 4.8-acre site in the predominantly black northwest area, a proposal bitterly opposed by some residents who wanted to see affordable housing there. Even though opponents could not persuade city commissioners to rescind approval for the mosque, it could be years before construction on the $5 million building begins.

See also: Islam, Zoning