Founded in 1977 by a handful of UT Austin students searching for a place to pray, Nueces Mosque is a a modest yellow house, hidden between skyscrapers near UT Austin campus.
Over the last five decades, it has become a spiritual home for tens of thousands of Muslim students during the most formative years of their lives.
As the first student-led* mosque in North America, it has empowered students to engage with the masjid through various leadership roles and activities.
*A Board of Directors is appointed and mentors the student Executive Committee.
College is one of the most vulnerable times. A time when Muslim students need Islam the most, but are most at risk of losing it
For many, Nueces is the only space anchoring them to Islam but it’s stretched beyond what it can hold.
Muslim youth leaveIslam by adulthood
of Muslim youthstruggle with faith
of Nueces attendeesare students
Students attendFriday prayer weekly
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The future of Islam in the West is being shaped on college campuses today. For the past 45 years, Nueces Mosque has been a model campus community shaping the lives and futures of thousands of Muslim students. As the largest fully student-run Masjid in the nation, it has empowered students to love and engage with the Masjid through various leadership roles and activities.
Positioned near UT Austin and the State Capitol, Nueces Mosque aims to be a beacon of Islam in the heart of Texas, a center of Dawah, and a place of authentic study, inspiring students and young professionals.
Our vision is to establish a self-sustaining institution at Nueces Mosque that will fortify the faith of college students, train and educate future leaders, and provide a platform for civic, societal, and interfaith engagement. We aim to construct an iconic institution in the heart of Texas that will house a Masjid, Dawah Center, Seminary, and an Education Center for new and renewed Muslims from all over the world.
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:
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:
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.
Yes. Pledges are welcome, and funds are collected in a restricted account dedicated solely to the reconstruction project.
Yes. Nueces Mosque is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN #83‑4294610). Donors receive tax receipts for their records.
Many employers offer matching gift programs. Donors are encouraged to check with their employer or matching‑gift platforms for eligibility. Please contact finance@nuecesmosque.com for details.
As a matter of policy, Nueces Mosque does not actively solicit Zakat funds for the reconstruction project. However, we will accept funds from donors who feel comfortable discharging their personal zakat towards this noble project and mission. In particular, the Education Center and Seminary project are generally considered Zakat-eligible. For designation questions, please contact finance@nuecesmosque.com.
