Islam comes from an Arabic word meaning “submission” or “surrender.” The Prophet Muhammad’s message of Islam called humankind to recognize the authority of the one God, and to align one's life with the path of Islam. In Greater Boston, Islam encompasses a diverse community of over 50,000 adherents served by nearly fifty different mosques, schools, and community organizations. Originally composed primarily of African-American converts, the Muslim population of Greater Boston now includes immigrants from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The landmark Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury is but one example of the ways in which this diverse community is building a vibrant future in Greater Boston. Read full essay