Mosque Construction Begins in Brookfield

Construction has begun on the 13,000-square-foot Pleasant Drive mosque for the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Brookfield Now is reporting.

The mosque was a contentious issue in Brookfield after protesters brought forward claims of increased traffic and religious extremism. The Brookfield Common Council unanimously approved the mosque in May 2012.

Organizers delayed the groundbreaking to work with contractors and alter the plans for the building before moving forward, Mushir Hassan, secretary on the Islamic Society of Milwaukee's board of directors, told Patch in May. Hassan said contractors changed the interior support structure to all steel, rather than a wood and steel mix for structural integrity. 

The Islamic Society of Milwaukee also altered the parking lot layout as well, which required another round of city approvals.  

The mosque is expected to be opened next year.