The ISB Cultural Center Project is...

• An opportunity to administer to the needs of the Muslim community
• An opportunity for Muslim women to leave their mark and clear misconceptions about Islam
• An opportunity to reach out non-Muslim neighbors with God's Mercy and love
• An opportunity for Muslim businesses and Investment

An opportunity to administer to the needs of the Muslim community

The ISB Cultural Center has been designed to meet the needs of a growing Islamic population including a large place for prayer, schooling and social activities.

At the present time, there are mosques housed in a variety of renovated buildings in the greater Boston area, including Quincy, Sharon, Dorchester, Roxbury and Cambridge. In addition, prayer is presently conducted in space made available at universities such as Harvard Universty, Boston University, Northeastern University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Many of these facilities are full or overflowing each week, unable to handle the increasing demand from local Muslims to worship in congregation. What's more, large gatherings such as those for Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are completely impossible in our existing centers The ISB Cultural Center will provide much needed space for our growing community. In addition, its classroom facilities will allow the ISB to continue and expand its educational offerings, and its social hall will provide opportunities for community members to come together at social and cultural activities.

An opportunity for Muslim women to leave their mark and clear misconceptions about Islam

Aziza A. Hamid (Ella Collins) Malcom X's sister

Boston is a City that highlights the paths of former notable residents who made contributions to the lives of future generations. Aside from the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail in Boston, there is also the Women's Heritage Trail. It highlights the locations where notable women have worked or lived. Among many places, the Trail leads to the home of the Lebanese-Syrian Ladies Aid Society founded in 1917 to raise money for new arrivals and to provide relief to the near East.

The issue of Women in Islam is frequently a topic of debate and discussion in Western society. The ISB, however, has always advocated the participation of women in all levels of work while trying to balance between the diverse expectations of Muslims coming together from all over the world. In the future, we are hopeful that Muslim women will continue to play a greater role in the community and make their unique contribution to society.

An opportunity to reach out to non-Muslim neighbors

For many years, the ISB has worked to develop positive relationships with our neighbors in Cambridge. We are active participants of Cambridge Community Television, from which we received an award in 2002. We have participated in events sponsored by the Cambridge Peace Commission and have provided representatives to various other city agencies in the area. In addition, we have established positive relationships with local religious institutions, with whom we have an active interfaith program.

We hope to continue this tradition as we move into Boston. Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center, situated across from the new Cultural Center, is already familiar with Boston’s Muslims through our regular use of their facility for Eid prayers and other events. Roxbury Community College will, God willing, become another important neighborhood partner as we collaborate on a joint lecture series and library development project. In the future, we hope to establish other neighborhood relationships that will foster an environment of mutual friendship and understanding.

An opportunity for Muslim businesses and investment

The plans for the ISB Cultural Center include retail space that can be rented by Muslim businesses, a perfect location for a business that wants to be easily accessible by the Muslim community. What's more, Roxbury will become a perfect place for the Muslim community to invest in residential and commercial real-estate to create a true neighborhood of our own in Boston.

An opportunity for Boston and all of its people