New Muslim Community Center Set to Open Near University of Minnesota
The center's co-founder, Shaykh Saifullah Muhammad, confirmed the opening timeline, following the signing of a purchase agreement in January for a building currently occupied by the Corner Bar, The Minnesota Daily reported on Monday.
The purchase, which includes the bar and the two floors above it, is expected to be finalized by the end of March. Fundraising efforts are underway to support renovation and ongoing maintenance, Muhammad stated.
The initiative was inspired by events during the spring 2024 encampment protests when Muslim students were denied access to the Al-Madinah Cultural Center (AMCC) inside Coffman Union. The University had closed the building along with others for safety reasons.
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Muhammad, who participated in the encampments, noted the experience highlighted the need for an independent space for Muslim students.
“We don’t have a fully dedicated Muslim space,” Muhammad said. “We need a center where students can connect, feel comfortable, and engage with their community.”
Currently, AMCC is the primary space for Muslim students, but its limited capacity forces Friday prayers to be held in the basement of Grace University Lutheran Church.
Salam Community co-founder Mateen Ali, a university alumnus, pointed to the need to create a space where Muslim students can freely practice their faith and socialize.
The three-story center will feature Salam Coffee on the ground floor, a youth center and prayer space on the second, and a seminary on the third to train future Islamic leaders.
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Salam Coffee, set to open by early summer, will serve as a welcoming hub for both Muslim and non-Muslim students, offering halal food and fostering community interactions.
The goal is to create an inclusive environment where all students feel welcome, Ali said.
Source: Agencies
