Source: The New York Times

On December 27, 1998 the New York Times reported that a local Muslim community plans to purchase a five-story building in midtown Manhattan and convert it to one of the largest prayer halls in the city. The congregation's director, Mohammed Ali Abdelaal, commented, "We are modest people -- a real mix from all over the world, just like Manhattan." The article noted that there are over 400 mosques in the New York City area, the first of which was opened some 45 years ago. "Tucked among the office towers of Manhattan there are about 10 mosques, most operating out of rented quarters and serving overflow crowds of workers at the noon prayer on Fridays."