Source: The Arizona Republic

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0112nemosque12.html

On January 12, 2004 The Arizona Republic reported, " Excitement mixed with resignation this past weekend as neighbors and members of Scottsdale's first Islamic mosque and cultural center discussed the start of the mosque's construction. About 25 people gathered Saturday morning at the site of the project, a 3.5-acre parcel at the southwestern corner of 122nd Street and Via Linda... Scottsdale resident Naser Ahmad, president of the Islamic center's board of trustees, said the goal is to finish by September or October. 'We want to be in by (the Muslim holy month of ) Ramadan,' Ahmad said. Several neighbors opposed the project, which includes a prayer hall, multipurpose room, library and, eventually, a school. They said it is too much for such a small site. They also bought their homes for the views of the McDowell Mountains and believed custom homes would be built on the empty lot. Although the land is zoned for residential, houses of worship are permitted uses."