In 2010 Temecula made national headlines as one of the few cities that opposed the construction of a mosque within its borders. Some who opposed the mosque did so out of concern about increased traffic in an already congested area and noise from the minaret (Goodstein). Others openly objected to “not wanting Islam in [their] city.” Due to increased growth in the last decade of the proposal, the Muslim community wanted the mosque to accommodate their growing size. Leaders of the Murrieta and Temecula Valley Interfaith Council, along with other advocates, believe the Muslim community has the right to have its own place of worship to further its community. Although fear of an unsafe environment (traffic, noise, and extremism) is associated with building a mosque in Temecula, providing a solid foundation for the city's practicing Muslims will allow the Muslim community to grow both physically and spiritually; as well as encouraging the need to welcome diversity in a city that is continually growing in order to form a safe and positive environment. Having a mosque in Temecula builds a strong foundation in both faith and convenience for Temecula residents and nearby Muslims. As mentioned by Jane Smith in her book Islam in America, she explains how having a mosque would “allow the community to take pride in its identification with Islam and its ability to provide its own facilities [as well as] make it much easier to gather ”. and perform [worship]” (151). Since the Muslim community currently resides in a “makeshift” mosque of approximately 8,300 square feet for Friday ritual worship and community gatherings, the planned 25,000 square foot mosque provides the space needed for comfort and size (Do… ... middle of paper ......harmony, understanding must be desired and implemented by both parties so as not to isolate one group from the other. Building the mosque in Temecula promotes what is most needed in all city: diversity despite concerns from aesthetic impacts to cultural impacts, what needs to be done is to embrace diversity to gain insight into other people To enable a community that understands its neighbors and is able to empathize with them instead to judge them we are trying to support our beliefs, but we must consider a wide range of reliable sources to give a well-informed discourse on what we are fighting for. The mosque provides much needed support (both physically and spiritually) to the Muslim community. through its foundations and the community around it, fighting for its right to worship in its permanent home.