DEABORN HEIGHTS (WWJ) -- Prayers took place in a new mosque in Dearborn Heights, as Ramadan ends and Muslims across the world celebrate Eid.
When totally finished, the Islamic Institute of America mosque, on Beech Daly, is expected to be the largest mosque in the U.S.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reports there was a long line of cars on the road, and a heavy police presence as people arrived for the first prayer hour at 9 a.m. Friday.
"We're welcoming the congregation here in Dearborn Heights for prayer," said Hassam Kassem, a board member at the Islamic Institute of America. "First day of opening, so it's not fully functional, not fully opening yet. But we wanted to welcome the community here to pray with us."
This comes amid war in Iran and recent violence at religious instructions worldwide. It was just over one week ago that a man rammed his truck into the Temple Israel synagogue in Bloomfield Township, about a 40 minute drive from the mosque.
"Every, every place of worship has heightened security during this time," said Kassem. "But we can, essentially, pray together for the benefit of all."
Eid al-Fitr, or the "festival of breaking the fast," celebrates the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is a time for communal prayer, feasting, and expressing gratitude for the strength to complete the fast.
"It's also a month where you want to have, essentially, a high level of spirituality," Kassem said. "You want to connect with God, you want to understand yourself. So, with that being said, if you're able to do that, you improve as a person."
Estimates for the Muslim population in Metro Detroit typically range from 250,000 to 300,000 people, placing the region in the top five most prominent Muslim hubs in the U.S. The city of Dearborn, which borders Dearborn Heights, has the highest concentration of Arab Americans and Muslims per capita in the U.S., according to 2020 U.S. Census data.
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