Masjid Al-Qur'aan

What lessons can be learned from African-American Muslims in Boston? Taking the time to reflect we learn that in the 1940’s a small group of musicians came together to form the first Muslim community of Boston, under the leadership of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. This call was not to orthodox Al-Islam, but a needed message to address the degradation of African-American minds of the time. All of

us have benefited directly or indirectly from this journey into orthodox Al-Islam. Meeting weekly in each other’s homes Minister Lloyd Williams was elected into leadership. His home was a major meetinghouse to practice and propagate the message of the then Nation Of Islam. The call to a clean and honorable life attracted those most in need of the message and membership grew rapidly. Soon the need for a larger place of worship was needed and the natural development to securing a storefront became a reality in the early 1950’s. Moving through different locations within the South End, Dorchester and Roxbury communities the need to purchase property, for a place of worship, became the obvious solution. The location of a Jewish Synagogue was for sale and proved to be the ideal quest to continue as a place of worship. The negotiation for 35 & 37 Intervale Street set history in motion and ultimately formed a partnership between the Muslim and Jewish communities that exist today. We are forever thankful, appreciative and will continuously honor those Muslim individuals and families that sacrificed to establish the foundation of Al-Islam. Through contributions and using personal property as collateral the property was purchased in 1957 and 35 Intervale Street serves as our Temple (Masjid). We became the eleventh Temple established in the Nation Of Islam and thus became designated as Temple #11.

37 Intervale Street became the living quarters of Minister Louis Farakhan, a famous musician himself, the elected leader of the Boston Muslim community. Ultimately evolving from the Minister’s quarters to a transition home the property has been the home for many struggling believers. Being able to offer assistance to members in need solidifies our foundation of service and has allowed Al-Islam to flourish in Boston. Our community continued to transition, progress and transform throughout the years. Malcolm X (Al-Hajji Malik Al-Shabazz), the Regional Minister of this area, considered Temple #11 his home and held it in very high esteem. The infamous play “Orgena” was produced here, causing an intense stir in the Nation Of Islam. Discontinued by the order of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, pioneers still muse over the whereabouts of the tapes capturing their work of art.