Region's Muslims plan mosque in Wausau

WAUSAU – A group of central Wisconsin Muslims is trying to build a mosque in the Wausau area and hopes to have construction complete within the next two years.

Adeel Aslam, a member and general secretary of the Islamic Society of Central Wisconsin, said the Muslim community in the region has grown since the first mosque, Masjid Al-Noor, opened nine years ago in Marshfield.

The group now is large enough to support a second house of worship, he said.

About 15 families are regular members of the Marshfield mosque, which draws Muslims from the entire north central part of the state.

The Wausau area has about 30 Muslim families and a new mosque would also draw members from Stevens Point and areas to the north, Aslam said.

"It has been very difficult for them to have to travel to Marshfield and other cities that have a masjid (a mosque) to attend prayer and services," he said.

The Rev. David Klutterman of Wausau's St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, who long has been involved in the city's interfaith efforts, said he welcomes the group to Wausau's faith community.

"It represents that Wausau and this area will have representation of the larger world and therefore the challenge will always be before us to somehow see what unites us instead of divides us," Klutterman said.

"Their presence will allow us to be in dialogue at a local level," he said.

While Islam, Judaism and Christianity have differences in faith, there are many similarities, he said.

"Seeing faith being lived out locally amongst neighbors is always helpful," Klutterman said.

The Islamic Society of Central Wisconsin has purchased a building for the mosque within walking distance of Aspirus Wausau Hospital and the Marshfield Clinic facility on Stewart Avenue.

The society is a nonprofit religious organization that founded the Marshfield mosque. The group is fundraising among its members to complete the remodeling of the building into a mosque, Aslam said.

Having another mosque in central Wisconsin will provide the opportunity for more people to understand Islam, said Shanny Luft, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

"I'm hopeful the mosque will nurture the spiritual lives of Muslims in central Wisconsin, create bridges to the broader community, and encourage greater awareness of the ethnic, religious and cultural diversity within American Muslims," he said.

Studies of religion have shown many Americans know little about Islam, Luft said.

"A 2014 study by the Arab American Institute found that half of Americans feel that they do not know very much about Islam and Muslims. And our lack of knowledge has significant consequences. The same study found that people who did not know any Muslims had the most unfavorable views of Islam," Luft said.

Rabbi Dan Danson of Mt. Sinai Congregation said a mosque in Wausau will enrich the cultural life of the community.

"We've done interfaith forums (in Wausau) and it's difficult (to include Muslims) when there isn't an address for a mosque. This will make it more dynamic," Danson said.

Islam has about 1.6 billion followers across the globe and is both the second-largest and the fastest-growing religion in the world.

Reporter Liz Welter can be reached at 715-384-3131. Find her on Twitter as@welter_liz.