New Hazelwood Mosque Hopes to Serve More Than 3,000 Area Muslims

A new community center that hopes to serve more than 3,000 people recently opened in Hazelwood.

The Dar Aljalal Mosque hopes to become the St. Louis area’s largest place of worship and community center for Muslims, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

On Sunday, the mosque’s grand opening drew more than 250 people, including several elected officials and community activists who praised the center’s goals to promote cultural understanding and to help families with jobs and education.

mayor Matthew Robinson and county executive Charlie Dooley were on hand for the ribbon-cutting event.

A spokesman for the mosque told the Post that the project was 20 years in the making.

"It's vital to our community and in building a great future for our families,” William Masheleh said. “Our main goal is to make sure our kids are raised well, are successful and making a positive impact in today's society."

The mosque is located in the two-story building on Dunn Road that used to hold State Farm Insurance offices.