LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A new Islamic mosque and community center opened this weekend in a former elementary school in northeast Lubbock, welcoming people of all faiths to use its facilities.
The Unity Center has taken over the old Arnett Elementary School and features sports fields, equipment and other amenities designed to build community connections. The center is located near North Ivory Avenue and East Queens Street.
Mohamad Altabaa, president of the Unity Center, said the project came together in just 40 days and has received support from around the world.
“Just randomly I don’t have any experience with social media or video editing or anything like that, I just grabbed my phone and started recording and we made a small Instagram reel,” Altabaa said. “That reel actually went viral and it got millions of views and kind of turned into this huge community project. People from all over the world are donating and coming out, even today we have people from all over the US and someone’s even flying in from London to help and volunteer for the opening weekend.”
The opening weekend began with volunteers making more than 30,000 food bags to donate to charities across the South Plains.
The grand opening is scheduled for Sunday, with the Unity Center inviting neighbors and the community to a barbecue and cookout.
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