The Islamic Center of America mosque in Dearborn is beset by a shortage of money to complete the $15 project - but fortunately there was no shortage of talent among the union masons who completed the exterior of the building.

"It's a stunning project, and we have certainly never done anything like it," said Ned Niemi of Davenport Masonry. "The owner was very meticulous with very high standards. Our people did a very nice job."

Niemi said a small crew of about 10 masons wrapped up the brick and tile work on the project last month after being on the job on and off for more than two years. The Islamic Center is short on funds to complete the project, so construction crews have been hired as money has been made available.

The Islamic Center, currently located in Detroit, is inadequate for the group's needs. The mosque is part of a 120,000-square-foot complex at the site, including a Muslim American Youth Academy, the mosque, an auditorium, library and community center.

A GROUP of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 members, working for Davenport Masonry, gather on the scaffolding on one of the spires they're constructing at the Islamic Center of America.