October 31, 2001
Source: The Los Angeles Times
On October 31, 2001, The Los Angeles Times reported "Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks Delay Completion of O.C. Mosque." The article noted, "The terrorism caused county Muslim leaders over the past seven weeks to shift priorities from the mosque and focus instead on security concerns and public outreach." The community will hold their opening ceremonies for the unfinished mosque as planned, with some 2,500 expected to attend. "'This building basically confirms that Islam is an intricate part of the American fabric,' said Ra'id Faraj, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. 'And the Muslim community is here to stay. This is home for them.'"