When a few families got together to form Minnesota's only Ahmadiyya Muslim community more than 20 years ago, homes served as worship sites.
Since 1988, the largely north metro congregation has grown slowly but steadily to almost 90 members, moving from homes to rooms in libraries and community centers. On Saturday, it will mark a milestone — the opening of its permanent home at the Nusrat Mosque in Coon Rapids.
Eager to celebrate "humanity at large," the congregation — the only Ahmadiyya Muslim group in Minnesota — has invited the "greater Minneapolis community" to the center's 1 p.m. inauguration and for public tours starting at noon, said Imam Faran Rabbani.
Among those attending will be U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., who will deliver a keynote address, Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and other community leaders.
Muhammad Khaliq, president of the Minnesota chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, said the mosque's new space at 11450 Robinson Dr. was highly coveted.
At one point, the community bought land in Brooklyn Park, went through the zoning process and made architectural plans. But before ground was broken in 2013, the more affordable space in Coon Rapids became available.
"We thought [we were] better off buying it than building it," Khaliq said. "It was already zoned as a place of worship and we thought, 'Let's get this instead of going through the hassle of building.' "
Purchasing the former office building was "easily affordable" for the community, Rabbani said. Within a year, it was converted into a fully functional mosque. In keeping with the community's traditions, there's space for men and women to worship and to conduct events.
