Plans for Islamic Life Center take shape

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Local Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan in prayer earlier this summer. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)
Local Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan in prayer earlier this summer. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

By Mark Ambrogi

The new Islamic Life Center and Mosque in Carmel has taken major steps toward being build this year

The center is set to be built on land on the Carmel side of 146th Street between Ditch and Towne Roads. Al Salam Foundation vice president Ashhar Madni said the land was purchased in February and the master plans are being worked on now.

“We don’t have any fixed timetable,” Madni said. “It will take roughly 18 months to two years before we actually have a place.”

Madni isn’t sure what the eventual size of the facility will be.

“But it’s bigger than what we have right now,” said Madni, referring to the rental space on the northwest side of Indianapolis. “It will be a place for youth to interact and there will be sports activity for them.”

Mohammad Islam, an Al Salam Foundation official, said the center will be a place for education and service.

“It will be like a second home for our community members,” Islam said. “It will be a place where community social functions can take place. It will be a place where the (younger) generation can learn about their civic duty and responsibility. It will be a place to promote charity for the needy, poor and orphans in our society for both Muslims and non-Muslims equal. There will be service for interfaith discussions and activities for non-Muslims, neighbors, friends and community members.”

Nadir Zaidi, who grew up in Carmel and is headed to attend Cornell University’s medical school, is pleased the center will be in his hometown. Zaidi said events like the Carmel Mayor’s Iftar Ramadan event on July 10 show the support from the area interfaith community.

“Then the explicit fact that we had backing from the city to build our community center and our mosque, it’s a great step forward for us as a great city,” Zaidi said.


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