Muslims Look to Plant Roots in Northern Westchester

July 23, 2007

Author: GARY STERN AND ELIZABETH GANGA

Source: The Journal News

http://www.nynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070723/NEWS02/707230341

NEW CASTLE - It was 10 years ago that a group of highly educated, affluent Muslims who had been drawn to the comfortable lifestyle and top-ranked schools of northern Westchester began to pursue a vision of a new community.

They would set up a temporary mosque, begin to meet their neighbors, and start raising money to build a full-fledged Islamic center among the many well-to-do synagogues and churches north of Interstate 287.

The terrorist attacks of 2001 intervened - bringing unexpected waves of attention to their faith and forcing many American Muslims to explain politics in far-away lands. But the focused leadership of the Upper Westchester Muslim Society pressed on, and the community is now ready to plant Muslim roots in the upper county's pricey real estate.