Islamic group wants to transform 10 acres of wooded N.J. land into a ‘social mosaic’ for all faiths

An Islamic nonprofit group has submitted a plan to build a mosque on a 10-acre wooded tract on Colfax Road in Wayne.

The organization is seeking several variances to construct the house of worship next to a church and in the middle of a residential zone.

The nonprofit, IPRAY House, Inc. , bought the lot at 225 Colfax Road for $850,000 in 2024. In September, IPRAY House submitted its site plan for a two-story mosque and community center with parking for 250 cars.

Ahmet Anar, the president of IPRAY House, said the vision is to create a community space rooted in Islam but open to all people, not just Muslims.

“Our vision is to create a thoughtfully designed mosque and a community center that brings people together at a time when the world often feels increasingly polarized,” Anar said.