Our vision is to build a well-coming, self-sustaining institution that serves as a beacon of faith and a spiritual destination for college students and young professionals. The new Nueces Mosque will provide space for prayer, education, mentorship, and community service while supporting the long‑term needs of future generations.

The current Nueces Mosque building is over 100 years old and no longer meets safety, accessibility, or capacity needs. The reconstruction project will replace the aging facility with a modern, code‑compliant building designed to better serve the growing UT Austin and downtown Austin communities.

The project will create a six‑story, 77,000+ square‑foot mixed‑use facility that includes:

• Ground Floor: Prayer Hall (Masjid), lobby, and offices
• Second Floor: Mufti Umer Center for Education & Outreach and Nueces Seminary
• Upper Floors: Student apartments designed to support long‑term sustainability
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Mufti Mohamed‑Umer Esmail (rahimahullah) was one of North America’s most respected scholars and a deeply beloved leader in the Austin and UT communities. He served as an Imam in Austin for decades and led Nueces Mosque for nearly ten years, dedicating his life to student mentorship, scholarship, and interfaith engagement. Naming the Center in his honor recognizes his lasting impact and commitment to faith‑based learning, service, and community building.

Student housing supports long‑term financial sustainability by helping cover operating expenses such as maintenance, staffing, and enhanced programming. It also allows students to live close to campus in a safe and supportive environment connected to educational, spiritual and mentoring resources.

The residential component of the project complies fully with all City of Austin and Fair Housing regulations. Housing will be offered in a non‑discriminatory manner and will be accessible to all qualified applicants.

The Masjid and Education & Outreach Center are estimated to cost approximately $11 million and are funded entirely through community donations, alumni, and parents. The student housing portion is financed separately through institutional funding. Community donations are not solicited for the apartment financing.

The project is currently in the pre-construction phase. The City of Austin has approved the site plan, and demolition and building permits are anticipated by late summer 2026. Arrangements for a temporary prayer facility are underway to ensure continuity of services during construction.
To date, approximately $3 million has been secured. An additional $4 million is required to fully fund construction of the Masjid (ground floor), which must be secured before construction can begin.

Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2026, once funding for the prayer hall is secured. The full build is projected to take approximately 18–24 months. The remaining funds for the education center (second floor) will be raised during construction.

High-rise construction in downtown Austin typically requires a unified construction approach due to permitting requirements, crane usage, material procurement timelines, and overall cost efficiency. While a multi-phase approach is technically possible, it would significantly increase construction costs, extend timelines, and introduce logistical complexities. A phased construction approach would only be considered if financing for the residential component cannot be secured on favorable and timely terms. That said, the Board of Directors has adopted the following priorities for the project:

• Prioritize construction of the Masjid and Education Center
• Minimize financial risk to the Masjid
• Maintain momentum toward a Fall 2026 construction start
• Preserve the long-term vision of a self-sustaining institution

The new center will not include on‑site parking. Instead, we have leased parking spaces in a garage within minutes from Nueces Mosque. It is already being used by the community for Friday prayers. Most daily attendees are UT Austin students within walking distance, and many students do not own vehicles. Underground parking was evaluated but deemed cost‑prohibitive.

Prayer services will temporarily relocate to a nearby facility close to the UT Austin campus. The transition will occur before demolition begins to ensure continuity of services.

Yes. Nueces Mosque will continue to be student‑led, with students overseeing religious programming and events. The Board of Directors provides governance and oversight, while professional services support building and housing operations..