March 31, 2010
Source: St. Petersburg Times
For the past year, passers-by have been curious about the impressive construction project in the 6300 block of Barclay Avenue — a gilt-domed, turreted, two-story edifice.
It is the new place of worship and education for local Muslims, the Islamic Center of Hernando County. And on Saturday, about 500 visitors toured the 10,000-square-foot mosque and learned about Islam and those who practice the faith in Hernando.
The event marked one of the aims of the building project, to "open up more to the community, a bigger place to allow guests," said spokesman Dr. Ghiath Mahmaljy.
The membership had congregated in a modest cinder-block building on the same site since 1985.