The Islamic Society of Boston (ISB) is both a mosque and a cultural center for Muslims in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Formed in 1981, the ISB came about when Muslims new to Boston felt the need to gather together on a regular basis to preserve their Islamic identity and observe their beliefs and obligations as Muslims. The ISB began meeting in a hall reserved at MIT for five daily prayer times, the Friday prayers, and the weekly seminar classes. As time went on, more Muslims found out about the ISB, and a new meeting place was needed. That location ended up being in the suburb of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Muslim community in that area embraced the new venture and transformed it into the current ISB.
Getting There:
If you are planning a trip to the ISB, located at 204 Prospect Street in Cambridge, MA, you might wish to avoid Fridays which are really busy due to Friday prayers. To get specific directions or to learn more about various programs at the ISB, call (617) 876-3556.
Hotel rooms in Boston can be booked via Boston Hotels. If you need a cheap flight to Boston, visit www.CheapHotels.org.
The History of the ISB and the ISBCC
The ISB was founded in 1981 by Muslim students as a joint project of Muslim Student Associations at Harvard University, Boston University, MIT, Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Suffolk University and Tufts University. The ISB purchased a Cambridge building as a community center in 1991, and in 1993 a second location was acquired and renovation began. In 1994, the ISB opened a second location as a Mosque, as well as purchasing a rental property to provide supplemental income for the annual operating expenses of the ISB.
The Islamic Society of Boston is a cultural landmark and continues to grow into a cultural center that is the largest Islamic center in New England and the second largest on the East Coast. The 70,000 square foot building stands proudly on Malcolm X Boulevard in Boston. In addition to the Mosque, the ISBCC plans to house a school by the year 2013, as well as a library, an interfaith center, an exhibition area and a morgue. Many in the community are actively involved in the fundraising efforts to see this project come to fruition. To date, there has been $13.7 million raised for the $15.5 million project, so fundraising efforts continue.
Due to the two-decade effort to build the ISBCC, Muslims in the area, the Roxbury community, the city of Boston and the leaders of other faith groups have come together more than they had in previous years. For example, more than 250 leaders of different faiths attended an Interfaith Solidarity Event to support the building of the ISBCC.
Source: www.CheapHotels.org
June is the most popular month for marriages in America. As June approaches, many who are planning to marry enter the final stages of their preparations. These preparations normally include buying dresses, finalizing banquet hall arrangements, making catering arrangements, and other matters. In light of June's arrival, I want to draw everyone's attention to the most important aspect of marriage, which is learning how the relationship is going to be successful.
In the midst of all the excitement, future couples forget about the next stage of their life and pay very little attention to how they are going to actually live with their spouse and deal with any conflicts that will inevitably arise. It is incredibly important for future couples to learn their responsibilities in marriage. Islam teaches a man how to become a good husband and it teaches a woman how to become a good wife.
It is imperative for future couples to either take some classes on marriage and its duties, or to read some good books on this subject with the intention of practicing upon the knowledge they learn. Often we hear that the divorce rate in America is soaring, but we forget that the divorce rate in Muslim families is also very high. Unfortunately, many Muslim marriages are failing, and the cause in most cases is ignorance.
Ignorance of the beautiful teachings of our beloved Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) has been detrimental to the marriages of many brothers and sisters. An unpleasant relationship among couples is too common to mention, in direct contrast to the Qur'anic emphasis on passion, love and mercy (Mawaddah) in marriage. The husband refuses to be a better person because of his need to prove his manhood, and the wife refuses to be a better person because she often feels that being nice towards her husband means she is inferior and subjugated.
Islam teaches the husband to be a balanced man and teaches the wife to be a balanced woman. Education is the foundation of a successful marriage, but the goal cannot be reached by merely fulfilling the rights of each other. Rather, it requires both to go the extra mile. We have the best example in the life and Seerah of our beloved Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam). He always treated his wives with more than they deserved as their right, and he said: "The best among you are those who are the best to their wives, and I am the best to my wives."
Future couples must learn these beautiful teachings before they reach the day of their marriage and they must continue to learn thereafter. In the absence of sound knowledge, we often manifest certain hopes in each other that, if left unfulfilled, can prove disastrous to a marriage. The right knowledge will give us a proper understanding of what to expect, how to build on the positives in each marriage, and will certainly promote love, compassion and tranquility between husband and wife.
Some Masjids and websites offer courses for those wishing to marry. If one can get access to such courses, they will certainly benefit from such an opportunity, Insha'Allah.
May Allah place blessings in our marriages and make them into a source of peace and comfort, Aameen.
Mufti Ikram ul Haq is the president of Fatwa Center of America (www.askamufti.com).
