Islamic Center of New England

Women's area is small and shabby, and had lots of paper garbage when I went there (cups, plates, old newspapers, boxes). It is not marked, so a newcomer will have to choose from amongst the many closed doors. The community is not overly friendly to newcomers. Bathrooms are okay. Men's area is spacious and beautiful, with a new carpet, chandeliers, many books, and wall hangings. Many classrooms, and hosts a day school for followers of Salafi Islam during the week. There are two weekend schools: one for Arab children, and one for everyone else. Plans are underway to start Qur'an memorization classes after school on weekdays. There are one or two halaqas in Arabic for women during the week.

I have not seen the men's prayer space since the women pray in a separate room in another part of the building. The masjid is in an industrial area, near the Quincy dockyards. There is parking at the masjid but not enough for all of the people who attend so people end up blocking each other and sometimes even the masjid entrance. The women's space was tidy, but definitely well-worn and a bit grubby. Because it is so separate there is no chance of directly seeing or hearing the imam. And the room alloted when I was there was small enough that we prayed in shifts. The masjid is doing fundraising now, insha'Allah for renovations/refreshing of the masjid and insha'Allah they will not forget the women's areas.