Minneapolis mosque to reopen after 2014 fire

A Minneapolis mosque damaged by fire nearly a year and a half ago will reopen Saturday, June 6.

Abdisalam Adam said the mosque on Cedar Avenue near the University of Minnesota serves about 300 people, making it one of the busiest in Minneapolis.

After being displaced by the fire, worshipers found temporary spaces throughout the neighborhood to carry on the mosque's activities. For the past 18 months, they've held daily prayers and educational activities at the Brian Coyle Community Center, Augsburg College and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Adam said it cost $200,000 to rebuild the Dar al-Hijrah mosque, which is the Twin Cities' first Somali-operated house of worship. Community members have invited the mayor of Minneapolis, the fire chief and other officials to the Saturday reopening.

"That's something that's heartwarming that as Minnesotans, we people come through when tragedies happen," Adam said. "So we should not wait for tragedies to bring us together but rather should keep up the good work, the collaboration and the understanding."