It's been 10 years in the making, but work on the Omar Mosque redevelopment in Gwynneville has come to a halt. And there's no sign yet when it will resume.
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Construction on the new mosque was suspended on November 5 after Wollongong City Council issued a stop work order.
It is understood the problematic issues involve "construction and legislative anomalies".
A council spokesperson said it was working with the mosque leaders and other parties involved in the build to resolve the issues.
"The Gwynneville mosque development is being overseen by a private certifier," the spokesperson said.
"Council is currently liaising with the proponents of the development in response to notification from the private certifier regarding ... anomalies." Work will not resume until the complications are resolved.
Back in July 2021, a year after construction work began, Omar Mosque chairman, Dr Munir Hussain, believed the project would be finished by August that year.
But worshippers will have to continue praying in the old mosque for some time.
The impasse has lasted 159 days and once work can resume, it is expected to take a further three months to complete.
Dr Hussain said the community was unhappy about the delays and was doing its best to help resolve the issues.
"The community is a little bit upset, but it [the stop work order] will be lifted soon and we will move on with the job."
According to Dr Hussain, the existing mosque, which is located next to the new one, is too small for Wollongong's rapidly expanding Muslim community.
The Omar Mosque is one of few Muslim worshipping sites in Wollongong. It attracts people from 19 different countries, including many of Wollongong's Muslim student population.
Dr Hussain hopes construction can resume shortly so the mosque can properly cater for the whole community.
"The inspectors came and inspected, so everything is in order, and we are hoping that they will lift the restrictions soon."
The new mosque has been financed primarily through community fundraising. Once restrictions are lifted, another fundraiser will be held before construction resumes.
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