New Mosque Opens In Aurora In Time For Ramadan

AURORA, IL — A new mosque opened in Aurora just in time for Ramadan.

The Islamic Center of Aurora was announced at a special ceremony honoring local Muslims at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Located in the 500 block of South Lake Street, the mosque is conveniently located to serve Muslims in Aurora and nearby suburbs, including Oswego, Yorkville and Plano.

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Islamic Center is planned toward the end of Ramadan in April, Clayton Muhammad, the city's chief communications officer, told Patch.

Tuesday's meeting wasn't only to unveil the new mosque. Members of the city's Muslim community, including mosque leaders and youth, were celebrated as part of Aurora's annual Ramadan Proclamation Ceremony.

Leaders Jamal Tayh and Imam Rizwan Ali of the Masjid Hidayath and the Islamic Center of Naperville — the two mosques that have served Aurora for more than 25 years, officials said — were honored with the Mayor's Award of Excellence.

After the presentation, Muslim guests gathered in downtown Aurora for prayer and iftar, the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan. It was the first time iftar was held downtown, according to Muhammad.