|
|
2008-12-11  JOHNS CREEK HERALD | Islamic facility proposed in Johns Creek
|
| | by Jennifer Chapman | | |
December 10, 2008
JOHNS CREEK – Dr. Mahmoud Eboo and his family travel an hour in metro Atlanta traffic to attend their place of worship in Marietta.
But if zoning designation conditions are amended and approved by Johns Creek to allow for a new place of worship, Eboo, his family and about 1,000 other local residents could have a shorter commute.
Officials from the Aga Khan Ismaili Council discussed the proposed construction of a 32,000 square-foot Ismaili Jamatkhana at a community zoning information meeting held by the Johns Creek Community Association (JCCA).
A Jamatkhana, according to the officials, is not a mosque. It is a place of gathering and worship for members of the Ismaili Muslim community. There are four Jamatkhanas in the metro Atlanta area and several throughout the U.S. Eboo said there are about 1,000 Jamatkhana members in and around the Johns Creek area.
According to Eboo, president of His Highness Aga Khan Ismaili Council USA, the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims belong to the Shia branch of Islam.
Their leader is His Highness Aga Khan, who is the 49th hereditary spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community. He is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, which focuses on education, culture, economic development and health – all while trying to improve the quality of life, said Eboo.
The building is proposed to be located in Technology Park, off Lakefield Drive near LifeTime Fitness. The two-level facility will have a smaller foot plate – about 25,650 square feet, as the entire building will not be two stories.
A congregational area, conference space and classrooms are planned, as well as administrative offices, courtyards and garden areas.
Eboo said the Jamatkhana welcomes the Johns Creek community to use its facility.
According to Eboo, the architectural design of the Jamatkhana is blended with its surroundings, often looking similar to office buildings. The architecture includes an abundance of masonry and glass and the aesthetic is part of the faith, according to officials.
Worship services are offered daily, starting at 5 a.m. and evenings services at 7 p.m. Friday evenings is the Jamatkhana's most popular service, bringing in a few hundred worshippers.
"The hours of operation are a nice synergy with traffic – it doesn't compete with rush hour," said Wendy Butler, an attorney representing the applicant.
A traffic study was conducted and found that the number of trips generated by such a facility is estimated to be about 200, according to Butler. She added that its Tech Park location provides for several access points for worshippers to come in and out of the area.
Plans for the building include 240 parking space – 25 more spaces than what is required- and 25-foot setbacks.
She added that the Jamatkhana corresponds with Tech Park's master plan and the Johns Creek Comprehensive Plan.
"Both (plans) anticipate Tech Park to be a lifestyle center," said Butler.
The application is for a change in conditions to accommodate a house of worship in the M1-A zoning designation in Tech Park and is not a rezoning case.
| |
Reader Comments
These are our reader's opinions and thoughts.The opinions on this site are posted by our readers, and are not edited by Appen Inc.
I work here.
July 17, 2009 | 06:08 AM
No no no. I work here. I don't need to see it day in and day out.
Jay, Suwanee
report
Ismailis a peaceful, model community
July 16, 2009 | 09:13 PM
Ismailis are world renowned for their peaceful and tolerant outlook. In Canada, their leader - the Aga Khan - was just recently honored by the Canadian Parliament by being granted honorary Canadian Citizenship - see link:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090619/canada/canada_immigration_islam_agakhan_2
In Burnaby, site of the first purpose-built Ismaili Jamatkhana in North America, the Municipal Authority honored their valued presence in the city by setting aside a parcel of land as a city park in honor of their leader.
Al, Ottawa
report
Research before you comment.
July 16, 2009 | 07:01 PM
Spritial leader of Ismaili muslims 'Aga Khan' is very well known and reconized by world including U.S Govt.
Ismaili people are very highly educated and peaceful , law obidient people living aroun the world. they have nothing to do with any Saudi's. most majority live in India, Pakistan and Canada. they are very nice and peaceful people.
A.A, Duluth
report
churches in saudi arabia
February 23, 2009 | 08:58 PM
Please can we pressure the saudi government to build churches in saudi arabia. It would also be great if the Muslim community would also pressure the saudis to allow churches and other religions permission to build in saudi arabia, including mecca.
Maybe St John's creek mosque will be the first to organize something like a community lunch for the local churches in St johns creek to show their solidarity for free religion in saudi arabia!
Thanks!
leon mills, north fulton
Islam Center
December 19, 2008 | 03:00 PM
About twenty years ago, they built an Ismaili Centre in Burnaby, BC, Canada. At the time there was a lot of objection and some people also moved out.
But the important thing to note here is that the building was A! class and the property values have increased, I am told. The community has now fully embraced the centre. I am sure this will also happen in Johns Creek.
Visitor, Calgary, AB, Canada
Ismaili center
December 19, 2008 | 08:41 AM
Wonderful idea. Let us keep things in perspetive and embrace all the faiths. Having the center will be positive for the enire community as we understand people from different faiths. There are two churches - one on bell road (United Methodist) and one on Mcginess and Saregent (JC Baptist church) and both are valuable in the community. Overall, it is place of worship to the one God which we all belive even in. As diversity and pluralism in our community will only facitlitate understanding and strengthen our ties to each other.
Amin Mitha, Alpharetta
Islamic Centre
December 18, 2008 | 01:33 AM
It is wonderful that the Johns Creek community will be able to benefit from such a city and that the Ismaili Jamat will have a more comvenient prayer hall. I hope to see this work out successfully.
And also, the timings for services will not change "after they're legal". These are simply service times for the facility.
Nadia, London
December 17, 2008 | 12:27 PM
Awesome Idea and plan for all the Ismaili Muslims living in Johns Creek Area. It will really help with the commute to everyone who prefers to attend Jamatkhana on a regular basis.
Shehnoor Sawja, Johns Creek
Islam Center
December 16, 2008 | 09:15 PM
What a wonderful Idea and location. I hope it works out.
Rhasheda Muhammad-Lawery, Alpharetta
Islam Center
December 16, 2008 | 01:50 PM
No thanks to this monster. I know the drill here. "Lets tell the city it will not clog traffic during business hours but then we'll change our hours after we're legal" . City is reducing our quality of life for the majority.This will be absolutely be a disaster waiting to happen. NO!!!
Mike Hinton, Alpharetta
| |
|
|
| |
|
