Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 27, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "builders of a grand mosque in Garden Grove are putting their faith in the giving season of Ramadan to help them raise up to $ 1 million for one of the larger Islamic worship halls in the country...'We're hoping this Ramadan will be very critical in raising funds,' said Ahmed Ali, project coordinator for the Islamic Society of Orange County's $ 8-million mosque under construction...The new mosque eventually will replace the society's overcrowded, one-story facility next door on 13th Street near Brookhurst Street, where Muslims who come to pray often spill out of the tiny worship hall and are forced to kneel toward Mecca in the building's hallways, cafeteria and parking lot...The only mosque of similar size in California is in Santa Clara, said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the local Council on American-Islamic Relations. That facility is in converted office space and doesn't reflect the traditional Middle Eastern-styled mosque, he said...Syed Raza, the project's architect, said he tried to keep the construction style simple to hold down costs, though he added flourishes like five minarets, a courtyard and Arabic, Indian and Persian arches. Since men and women aren't allowed to worship together, the main prayer hall will feature separate entrances and levels. The mezzanine, which also has a nursery, will be reserved for women. Men will pray on the ground floor of the mosque...The mosque, designed also to be a community center for county Muslims, will include a meeting hall, two libraries, a regulation indoor basketball court, offices, lecture halls, dining area and kitchen and an new wing for the Orange Crescent School."