| | Sheikh Jamal Siad is the spiritual leader of the [[mosque]] along with Mosque Foundation president Osama Jammal. Of the 50 mosques and 400,000 Muslims in Islamic centers of Chicago, Bridgeview is near the top attracting 10,000 plus worshippers each week, a million dollars a year operation. According to The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, most worshipers are of Palestinian decent. | | Sheikh Jamal Siad is the spiritual leader of the [[mosque]] along with Mosque Foundation president Osama Jammal. Of the 50 mosques and 400,000 Muslims in Islamic centers of Chicago, Bridgeview is near the top attracting 10,000 plus worshippers each week, a million dollars a year operation. According to The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, most worshipers are of Palestinian decent. |
| − | In 1973, the Mosque Foundation and the American-[[Arabian]] Ladies Society purchased the plot of land at 7360 W. 93rd St. for $50,000. They settled on Bridgeview, a village just southwest of Chicago would be the future home of mosque. <ref>[http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/chi-0402080265feb08,0,3085677.story?page=5 Hard-liners won battle for Bridgeview mosque] Chicago Tribune, April 04, 2008</ref> But before the mosque was completed, the Mosque Foundation transferred its title to the North American Islamic Trust, a subsidiary of the Islamic Society of North America. The Islamic trust now owns nearly a third of all mosques and Muslim centers in the United States. In 1981, A pale stone building with its large blue dome was built for $1.3 million. Financing was raised from Kuwaiti donors, the government of Saudi Arabia and religious ministry of the United Arab Emirates. | + | In 1973, the Mosque Foundation and the American-Arabian Ladies Society purchased the plot of land at 7360 W. 93rd St. for $50,000. They settled on Bridgeview, a village just southwest of [[Chicago]] would be the future home of mosque. <ref>[http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/chi-0402080265feb08,0,3085677.story?page=5 Hard-liners won battle for Bridgeview mosque] Chicago Tribune, April 04, 2008</ref> But before the mosque was completed, the Mosque Foundation transferred its title to the North American Islamic Trust, a subsidiary of the Islamic Society of North America. The Islamic trust now owns nearly a third of all mosques and Muslim centers in the United States. In 1981, A pale stone building with its large blue dome was built for $1.3 million. Financing was raised from Kuwaiti donors, the government of Saudi Arabia and religious ministry of the United Arab Emirates. |
| | In 1985, at age 28, Sheik Jamal became prayer leader in Bridgeview. | | In 1985, at age 28, Sheik Jamal became prayer leader in Bridgeview. |
| | A plea from Bridgeview to a Saudi charity asked for money "before it becomes too late and we may lose our children because they are living in an unIslamic society." One mosque fundraising brochure warned that Chicago's Muslims were at risk of "melting in the [[American]] society, culture and lifestyle." | | A plea from Bridgeview to a Saudi charity asked for money "before it becomes too late and we may lose our children because they are living in an unIslamic society." One mosque fundraising brochure warned that Chicago's Muslims were at risk of "melting in the [[American]] society, culture and lifestyle." |