A multi million dollar mosque is moving into a neighborhood in Iowa. It’s happening in Granger.

“Mosques are burning, and we are building one here with a smile,” said Elvedin Sivac, president of the Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak of Des Moines.

Sivac said he is spearheading the project because the center’s current location on Lower Beaver Road in Des Moines is running out of space.

The new mosque in Granger will be a nearly 17,000-square-foot facility. 

“I would say this is almost like a last phase establishing our Bosnian community, building (the) very first mosque in the state of Iowa,” Sivac said.

Adding to the funeral home and cemetery already on that property, Sivac said the building’s traditional architectural design will make the mosque a first of its kind in the state. 

Those in charge of the project said the multimillion-dollar mosque is not just for the Muslim community, but for all Iowans.

“To come, to join us, to pray with us, it’s open for everyone,” Imam Nermin Spahic said.

Sivac said the mosque will be open to anyone, even those who might have questions about the faith.

“We want to show them that they can feel very safe around us (the) same way as we feel safe around them every day,” Sivac said.

Sivac and Spahic said they want to have the $2.5 million project finished in two years so that they can start giving back to those who gave them so much.

“We cannot forget that the hands which help us when we need that, especially Iowans,” Spahic said.

The center will host a ceremonial groundbreaking at noon April 22.

Donations of time, materials and money are still needed for the mosque. Donations can be sent to the Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak at 3805 Lower Beaver Road in Des Moines.”