First Call to Prayers at Largest Mosque in New England

- The first call to prayers in Roxbury this afternoon, at the largest mosque in New England.

At least 2,000 worshippers gathered to pray on the grounds of the Islamic Society of Boston's mosque shortly after a minaret-capping ceremony.

Some worshippers had tears streaming down their faces and others raised their hands in prayers as they watched the copper cap being hoisted by crane to the top of the minaret.

Yousef Abou-Allaban, director of the Islamic Society of Boston, said, "This wonderful day has been at least two decades in the making."

The event celebrated the settling of all lawsuits related to the construction of the mosque.

But worshippers must wait for at least six months before they could pray inside, to allow construction workers to finish work on the 14 (m) dollar structure.

The mosque is part of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center being built in Roxbury.
Associated Press