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The Salt Lake City Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for construction of a new, larger Masjid Al-Noor Mosque at 740 S. 700 East.
The motion came after several community members, including former Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, spoke in favor of the change during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Abdul Afridi, a trustee of the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake, said the Islamic community in Salt Lake City represents 130 nations and their mosque is one of just a few in the Western states.
He said they want their building to look nice and present a good image of the Muslim community.
"Because, as you all know, our image is not very good right now," Afridi told the commission.
The only concern expressed in the meeting was that parking in the area may be scarce. A few years ago, those using the mosque worked out an agreement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to use a parking lot at a nearby Mormon meetinghouse and shuttle those who wanted to attend the Muslim prayer service to the mosque, which is about an hour long on Friday afternoons.
But as people from the Islamic community and the neighborhood surrounding the mosque spoke, that concern disappeared.
"The plans look great," said Corroon, who lives near the site. "Also, I haven't seen any parking issues. ... I just wanted to speak in favor of it."
Commissioner Michael Fife made the motion to approve the request, which was supported by all fellow commissioners.