News & Updates — Milestones, Press Coverage & Videos

Latest · August 2026

Phase 2 campaign launches on LaunchGood

With the construction contract signed, the association opened a LaunchGood campaign to fund the masjid and burial washing (ghusl) center — the final major phase before the cemetery can begin serving families.

With Allah’s grace and years of community support, Phase 1 — roughly five acres of burial grounds with nearly 5,000 lots, roads, parking, stormwater improvements and hundreds of evergreen trees — is complete and paid for. Phase 2 builds the masjid, ghusl center and supporting facilities designed by LSE Architects; once it is finished, Al-Maghfirah will be ready to begin burials, in sha’ Allah.

See the renderings Support Phase 2

Rendering of the Masjid & Ghusl Center from the southwest

Southwest bird’s-eye view

Northeast entry

Floor plan

Site overview

Milestones

The road so far

From the purchase of the land in 2014 to the construction contract for the Masjid & Ghusl Center.

August 2026
Phase 2 campaign launches on LaunchGood

With the construction contract signed, the association opened a LaunchGood campaign to fund the masjid and burial washing (ghusl) center — the final major phase before the cemetery can begin serving families.
July 2026
Construction contract signed for the Masjid & Ghusl Center

The association signed the construction contract for Phase 2: the ghusl facility, prayer area, community hall and service offices designed by LSE Architects.
June 2025
Phase 1 complete — and fully paid

Despite years of challenges and lawsuits, Phase 1 was finished and paid for with $1.4 million contributed by the Muslim community: about five acres of prepared burial grounds with nearly 5,000 lots, internal roads, paved parking, stormwater management and hundreds of evergreen trees planted as a natural boundary.
June 11, 2025
Asphalt base paving and pond work

Things are moving along well, alhamdulillah. The asphalt base was paved, with final paving scheduled after the stormwater pond work is done.
May 28, 2025
Hauling in pond materials

Concrete was poured and crews hauled in materials for the stormwater pond while waiting for the next available paving date.
May 2025
Funeral center design finalized

LSE Architects presented the design for the Al-Maghfirah funeral center — ghusl rooms, a prayer hall, offices and parking — and the association met contractors on site on May 22, 2025.
March 2025
Site work begins

Crews began earthwork and grading, followed by the internal road network and parking areas that were paved in the early summer.
October 8, 2024
Ceremonial groundbreaking

After a decade of delays, the community broke ground in Castle Rock Township. The ceremony was covered by KSTP, WCCO/CBS, KARE 11, FOX 9 and Sahan Journal.
August 2022
Township approves the conditional use permit

Castle Rock Township granted Conditional Use Permit 2022-0002, allowing the cemetery together with ghusl (ritual washing) and prayer facilities on the land.
February 2016
Court rules the cemetery must be allowed

A Dakota County judge ruled that Castle Rock Township must allow the Islamic cemetery, the first major legal victory in a long fight for approval.
2014
The land is purchased

The community bought 72 acres of farmland at 1120 220th Street West in Castle Rock Township — and paid for it in full.