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Show Produced by the Agency LIVE une/Deseret News. Si Taylorsville is making the Tapestry a“ Continued from Page L-2 “It's a very peaceful neighborhood.” Thepeace hefeels, coupled with his family’s ability to freely practice Buddhism,fuels his hope to retum toafree Tibet “Depending onthe humanrights conditions, I'm not sure if I will return permanently to live or just to visit there, becausethis feels like home now,” Tsering said. “In Utah, myfamily and I can wor- in December 1997,it has becomethecenter of the most of its new city status Mohammad’s first wife and faces northeast early pioneer family crossed over contract city” and many othercities rugs. Muslims remove their shoes uponentering the the Jordan River to settle an area south and west of Salt Lake City. theresidents of the areas known as Taylorsville and Bennion voted to incorporate and to becometheCity of Taylorsville. The actual date of incorporation was July 1, 1996 best ideas. methods and policies from both the public and private sector in their daily operations and and inasmuchas 1996 wasthe year also in their long-termplanning Since the KhadeejaIslamic Center was dedicated Wasatch Front’s Muslim community The mosque is named after Prophet toward ashrine in Mecca. Inside, an open room houses up to 450 worshippers kneeling on prayer beautiful building. Two washrooms allow believ ship as we want.” 110,000 Mormonsin West Valley area: The samefreedomto worship that Tsering has enjoyed ers to wash their feet, hands and faces and rinse out their mouths before prayers. here also has catapulted The Church ofJesus cially thequiet streets andthelargetreesthat gi “We've really enjoyedthe neighborhood, esp the mosque,” said Hossain, whoenvisions the sec Christ of Latter-day Saints intoan eraof unprecedented worldwide growth. Since its founding in ond phaseof the Islamiccenter to include achil: dren's school and office space as well as an 1830, the church has becomeoneof the world’s fastest-growing religions with more than 10 mil- that Utah celebrated its centennial. it Was a natural for Taylorsville to be nicknamed “Utah's Centennial C ity.” “It will become a community center,” Hossain grea deal to be proudof. Thecity has a Strong economic baseandhas elect Valley City areaare Mormons. Accordingto offi- said. “Whenpeoplesee us as law-abiding, peace: loving people, it will help dispel myths about us cial church records, there are about 110,000 mem- and our religion.” chosenfiscal conservativephiloso phies and programs. There is a strengthen theIslamic community. “Weappreci strong community identity and numerous residents choose to be About two-thirds of all residents in the West Mayor Wright says the mosque has. helped bers of the Mormonfaith living in the communities of West Valley City, Taylorsville and Kearns. ington, manager of the church's man- ate people coming into the mosqueandinto our ment information center, says there are 30 stakes 205 wards andsix branches. Of those num- city with such high family values,” Wright said. “Muslims are our brothers andsisters who stand for good.” bers, Elkington says the church has 16 foreignwards and branches. Latter-day the West Valley City area attend three § wards, three Samoanwards, three Tongan wards, one Portuguese ward and one American Sign Language ward. There is also oneSpanish branch, one Cambodian branch and one Vietnamese branch. Don Searle and his family movedto West Valley City from Orem 15 years ago. “Oneof the most unique aspects of this commu- Searle said. “Our chil- dren were well accepted and we hadinstant friends in the neighborhood.” Searle, assistant managingeditor of Ensign, a church magazine with acirculation of 700,000 worldwide,calls his neighbors “kind people who wouldroll up their sleeves to help out without The Wasatch Front’s Muslim community worships at the Khadeeja Islamic Center. munity centers newcomers need,” Sidle said. Dzenet Salja, a 28-year-old Bosnian refugee, has only been in the United States for two years. She and husband Sefket have worked long hours. the Saljas bought a handsome six-year-old multilevel, four-bedroom homenear 4800 W, and 3100 South. Her parents and a youngersister share the spacious home. “L love my house,” Salja said. “It’s so peaceful compared to Bosnia. i'mactually happyhere, and live public works, animal control, and building permil/ inspectionservices are provided through contracts with Salt Lake County Taylorsville has a thriving busi ness base, Companies like Ane Express, Abbott Critical Care, Convergys (formerly vee Marketing), DataChem Labora the office of mayor and 68 for the state, which is northwest of New Delhi, said Jagdish Gill, president of the Sikh Association of no primary election duringthatfirst year, so the ballot consisted of sev- Unibase Data Entry and Nelson Laboratories have discovered the business-friendly community. The highlevel of citizen involvement manifests itself on a daily Taylorsville also boasts a large. well-planned outdoor mall, the DDR Family Center, which is a Valley City. Most Sikhs comefromIndia’s Punjab Utah during thefirst election 11 for five city council seats. There was eral pa tories, Dayna Communications. theproject,” Gill said. Plans call for a 4,000-square-foot main floorthat other assignmentsinthecity quickly pointed out to new. busi- will allow worshippers to meditate, called “nam simran,” which is of the highest importance to Sikhs, especially in conjunction with the “mool mantra” or the Sikh prayer to in each day, Gill Youth Council, a Miss Taylorsville no utility franchise tax. This is especially attractive to operations Committee. with intensive telephone or power needs. Taylorsvilleis a great community It is new, but is well onits way to Gill says the Sikh community recently pur Soin March 1997, Salja applied to be resettled in Utah, Nowsheassists other refugees as a case manager for the International Rescue Committee Shealsostudies business, social work andforeig “J want tohelpother refugees because I know whatit’s like to cometo this country with nothing but hope,” she said. “For young people like m we have hope andalot of opportunities. But I {¢ also says daily scnpture reading Granth Sahib is also important. of the Guru The proposedbasementof 4,000 squarefeet will have adining hall equipped with cooking facili les. “After the prayers, meditations and hymns, we celebrate witha prepared dinner,” Gill explained lives because everything they have is gone ‘ach family shares turnsinpreparingve: Mosque becomes center for Utah's meals. It's an exampleof how we shareas a. com sorry for older people who cannot have normal Muslims: About one-quarter of the world’s pop ulation is Muslim. Recent immigrations from Bosnia and Somalia have added to the Muslim population of the Wasatch Front, which looks to West Valley City’s mosqueas its focal point Iqbal Hossain, president of theIslamic Society of Greater Salt Lake, estimates 12,000 Muslims live in Utah. Most Muslims livein the county so they can be close to daily prayer at mosques munity.” Last month, worshippers in West Valley City basis by alarge number of volun teers whoserve on boards, commis: sions, advisory committees and in The young municipality already has an active Arts Council, a city t and a Healthy Taylorsville Numerouscivic events warly and the presenc of this city is strongly greater Salt Lake urbanarea In additionto the various commit accomplishing the objectives of great team madeupof electedofficials, staff, volunteers, residents and boards that operate under numerous volunteers who provide service under the direction and sponsorshipof various civic service clubs, churches of many denomina Along with Sikhs throughout California, the East Coast, Canada, EuropeandAsia, we will also be celebrating as astrong Sikh community in our hometown of West Valley City,” Gill said LUXURY APARTM! HOMES AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE fc West Valley City Centre 3540 South MarketSt West Valley City, Utah incorporation. Taylorsville has a and businesses whochooseto bein the city. It feels good tolive and work andplay in Taylorsville 300th anniversary of the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, thefaith’s last prophet OFFICE (<= nesses is that Taylorsville is the only municipalityinthe valley with the auspices of the city, there are Steak and = All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp just $9.99 FAIRWAY APARTMENTS WEST 3900 SOUTH (8 ang GEnecACons ors reative Dance Education 1969-1999 Conde Tiffany Conde Kennard Tracee Conde t felt in the successful retail shopping center andis centralto thecity’s activities. One of the features which is joined worldwide festivals in celebrating the Miss MARGENE’S DANce Stt DIO Children’s Creative Dance O what would be expended to selt provide. Police and fire services. Sikhs foster community: About 200 people Dancel Now Enrolling )1.965.6304 safety andpublic works, at a cost of 60 percent to 70 percent of of the Sikh faith gather every other Sunday after noonto worship at a community center in West WL ork "Come Dance Utith Ux" r jects. This strong senseof involve ment became evident whena total of 79people filed to be candidates near Frankfurt, Germany, for six years. “We had West to build a temple. “As a community, we norights in Germany,” shesaid. “We knew we wouldliketo raise more funds before beginning College in Taylorsville. andis centrally located tothe services and com- This philosophy of contracting has madeit possible for the residents of Taylorsville to receive a high levelof servicein the areas of had nofuture there, no opportunities for jobs or for an education.” Bosnian newcomersfind peace and comfort: About 5,000 Bosnians nowlive in Utah, are, she said. “The area also has good mass transit involved in local issues and pro: information on the philosophy and programs, as they have utilized the chased more than twoacres near 4400 S. and 5600 languages part-time at Salt Lake Community according to Sidle’s estimates. Most are Muslim. And many Bosnian families live in West Valley ed officials who have consistently Tay Ic orsville is also known as “the cross the nation have requested everyoneis so friendly andnice. Crime is so low andI feel safe.” Before coming to Utah, Salja lived in a town evenbeing asked.” City becausethat’s where thejobs andthe housing ions, and educational institutions: In 1995, almost 150 years after an In 1999, Taylorsville has a Islamic library. lion members. nity is thegreat people,” nday, May2, 1999 _L5 Includes baked potato,fries or seasonedrice and Sizzler's famous cheesetoast HOURS M-F 9:00 TO 7:00 SATURDAY 9:00-4:00 SUNDAY 9:00-3:00 WALK INS WELCOME Comevisit our WestValley ‘ity restaurantor any of our other convenientlocations along the Wasatch Front, Rd Rote rinks er 3429 Redwood Road * 972-8673 bri) SESE SRRRE ER Discover anew FoopLess: Oe (coming soon) Saesrse peoy poompsy OX TY RA SOLOTLL TCE ea Cw LAW A ae LE «Many OTR Lae | RRR eR Sy AYE Oe Or a7 a Ea Counter 1499 West 3500 South « Salt Lake City Ca7TT) Cabinets 972-8815 * Cou ntertops 972 680 © Fax 972-67. 53 1 (800) 999.8737 Watts OTe LCA Le COL Sat 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday _ * * * * Available for Occupancy YVinter 1999 / Spring 2000 New Big Box Opportunity! 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