The Pluralism Project at Harvard UniversityCenter Profile
Islamic Center of Boston (2009)
Sunni (Islam)
126 Boston Post Road
Wayland MA 01778
Phone: 508-358-5885
Websites:
About
The primary mission of the Islamic Center of Boston is to provide a focus of activities for Muslims living in the Greater Boston area in order for them to organize the religious, educational, and social life of their community in light of the Islamic teachings and traditions. It enables them to make positive, effective, and organized contributions towards the well being and enhancement of the social and cultural environment in which they live. An additional goal of the Islamic Center is to act as an information resource by providing an understanding of Islam as a faith, as a religion, and as a way of life, and by striving to create an awareness of the Islamic point of view on issues of contemporary relevance. In its workings it has been organized as a democratic association of equals; it does not entertain distinctions based on race, color, ethnicity, sectarian affinities, countries of origin and financial standing of its members.
Description
History and Description
Located just outside of the center of Wayland, the Islamic Center of Boston owns a small white house and a modern building capped with short white pyramids. The community purchased the land in 1987 and completed construction of the present building in 1992. Back in 1979, when they were a small group of immigrant professionals concerned about their children's Islamic education, the community met in a classroom at the Martin Luther King School in Cambridge.
Facilties and Events
Today, the Center's facilities include a prayer room, social hall, kitchen and classrooms. In addition to Friday community prayers and Eid celebrations, the Center has a regular schedule of educational programs. Sunday school meets from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Adults gather the last Friday of every month for Qur'an reading, commentary and discussion. The imam teaches the teenagers to recite the Qur'an, while volunteers teach language and Islamic values to younger children. Jum'ah Prayer takes place on Friday at 1:00 P.M. and on Sunday, Sunday School is held at 10:00 A.M. and Prayer at 12:30 P.M.
Date Center Founded
1979
Membership
Approximately 300 families
Ethnic Composition
Primarily South Asian and Middle Eastern