Mosque for the Praising of Allah
The Society for Islamic Brotherhood (S.I.B.) has existed as a brotherhood since the mid 1950?s. It?s principle activities were in the Roxbury and Dorchester area of Boston.
In 1970, (S.I.B.) began renting and eventually purchased the building at 724 Shawmut Avenue in Roxbury. Soon after; regular daily Salat and Jumah service was established for the first time on a consistent basis in the City of Boston. In the month of Ramadan 1973 C.E., S.I.B. was officially chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. S.I.B. is the organization that sponsors Masjidun li Hamdilillah (Mosque for the Praising of Allah).
This House of worship is the longest continuously operating Mosque in the City of Boston. The Masjid has been the site for many lectures by world renowned speakers and scholars of Islam, has hosted community events and has even conducted a fulltime Islamic primary school (Al-Azhar), from 1980-1983.
In 1989, S.I.B. initiated the effort to build the Jamia Mosque and educational center, that is now known as I.S.B. Cultural Center. May Allah (S.W.T.) continue to bless all those who have contributed to this project.
In 1990, S.I.B. began an effort to establish the first unified ?Eid Prayer in Boston and was readily joined by Masjid Quran groups in the area including The Islamic Society of Boston, CARE international, The Islamic Society of Boston University and many others.
Since then the effort has blossomed into a twice annual tradition of mutual cooperation amongst the Muslims in Boston. In 1992, S.I.B. established the first Abdul Malik Award (Malcolm X). That year the sister of Malcolm, Ellen Collins, received the award for tireless and faithfully giving him support when his life was so unstable. The following year Sheikh Hassan Jaber, who led the Salatul Janazah for Malcolm, was the recipient.
In 1995, in an effort to address the social service needs of the Muslim community in Boston, S.I.B. started the Islamic Multi-Service Organization Inc., I.M.S.O. I.M.S.O., over the past few years has organized boys mentoring programs, youth field trips, family & mental health counseling, giving housing and employment referrals and numerous other needed services. I.M.S.O is presently focusing on the youth activities including a boys archery program and the development of full time Islamic School.
We pray that Allah, Glory be to Him, will continue to permit us to serve Him. We ask Allah, The Exalted, to help us foster true brotherhood in Islam as we work to build a healthy Muslim community here in America. Insha Allah, with the help of Allah and cooperation of the Believers, success is assured.
Our Mission Statement
The purpose of the Organization shall be:The Society has been established to further the cause of Islam. The principles and practices employed to attain the objective should not exceed the boundaries set by our Lord and Creator Allah, Glory be to Him, nor the example of His Messenger Muhammad, our prayers upon him that Allah (T) grant him peace. Every thing that we do must be consistent we the methodology of the Prophet (S) and his companions.
This religion is simple and is clearly defined in the Quran and the Sunnah. The duties of its adherents are spelled out so that individually and collectively we can function progressively. However the key words in reference to this paper are Collective, Organization, and Community.
* As a Brotherhood we are chiefly concerned with establishing Communal Islamic Life. [Collective, Organized, Progressive, Effective] Behavior. By no means does this mean that we are not concerned with the individual, on the contrary the whole purpose of the collective is to help strengthen, support and save individuals. However, it is only through the organized arrangement of our affairs that we can fulfill the duty of being friends and protectors of one-another and work towards establishing a community.
* It is also critically important that we acknowledge and fully participate in the on- going work of calling people to that which is good (Muslim and non-Muslim). It is only by means of organization that we can call others to this way of life (Islam) and defend its existence and protect its peoples (Muslims).
* Lastly, we must command what is right and forbid what is wrong by defending a course of action that is beneficial for all humanity and at every level and in every quadrant of life in order to advance the cause of Islam.
Summary of our Mission:
(1) To help Muslims in Massachusetts and other parts of the United States to carry out Islamic activities in pursuance of Islam as a complete way of life.
(2) To carry on religious, social, civic, charitable, literacy, athletic, scientific, and other Islamic activities.
(3) To strengthen fraternal bonds and brotherly relations among Muslims.
(4) To promote friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.
(5) To present Islam to people of other faiths.
(6) To encourage Muslim students and alumina to give sincere commitment to assist communities to form local chapters and carry out Islamic activities.
(7) To further cooperation with the existing Muslim organizations.
(8) To perform Islamic marriage and funerals under the Islamic tradition.
(9) To acquire property upon which to build the Headquarters of the organization to include a Masjid for religious observance, school v/hereby to teach Islam and the Arabic language, school for Islam Law and Quranic recitation, and a library to maintain books on Islam, and other world religions.
