Jennifer Chapman
January 29, 2009
“Welcome to Johns Creek,” said Mayor Mike Bodker as his gavel hit the City Council desk, closing the zoning case hearing on the proposed Ismaili Jamatkhana facility in the city.
City Council unanimously approved a change in zoning conditions to allow for a 32,000 square-foot Islamic facility on Lakefield Drive near Lifetime Fitness in Technology Park.
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. and there are several hundred Jamatkhana members in and around the Johns Creek area, according to officials.
According to Dr. Mahmoud 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.
Complete Source: http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-i-2009-01-22-176582.114126_Johns_Creek_OKs_Islamic_facility_in_Tech_Park.html
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