A community of over 550 American Muslim families; many of whom have moved to the United States besides some that are born and brought within America.

The majority of the community members are professionals such as doctors, engineers , architects and teachers. The community is economically and socially quite affluent and productive.

An ethnically diverse group of people from all corners of the world that are bound together by the strong chain of their faith, Islam, their traditions and their love for freedom, justice, equality and serving humanity.

Besides maintaining a very active mosque, the community prides itself in running two full time Islamic schools and a Sunday school geared towards teaching Quran and Arabic language.

The masjid is managed by an executive committee elected by the general body. An elected board of directors oversees the executive committee and ensures that the mission and objectives of the Islamic center are fulfilled.

The ISGW is a democratically elected Islamic organization and its affairs are managed in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the ISGW. The main responsibility for the functioning of the ISGW lies with the two bodies. i.e. The Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee.

Board of Trustees consisting of 5 members and are responsible for making long term plans, establishing policies, advising and assisting the executive committee.

The Executive committee consists of 6 members and are responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the ISGW. All executive power and authority resides within itself.

OUR GOALS

• To maintain one of the houses of Allah for everyone who wants to come pray or worship.
• To provide the children of this community an opportunity to learn the basic teachings of Islam through the Sunday Islamic school.
• To provide a place for social events in the community.
• To promote understanding of various important issues to the community through lectures.

BOARD MEMBERS – CURRENT (2020-2022)

• Dr. Amjad Bahnassi
• Br. Pervez Majeed
• Dr. Ihab Debbagh
• Dr. Khalid Sadozai – Chairman
• Dr. Saleem Khanani – Vice Chairman

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2020-2022

• Mohammed El-Rafai    –    President
• Youssef Amellal           –    Vice President
• Ahmed Ghannoum       –   Treasurer
• Rubina Rindani             –    Women’s Coordinator
• Shahzad Sadozai         –    Social Secretary
• Abdullah Kazi               –    General Secretary
• Dr. Saleem Khanani     –    Interfaith Relations

Current Members

Please see the list of our current members here.

OUR HISTORY

Brief History Timeline
 

• 1903   An empty parcel of land owned by George Adams.
• 1906   Land sold to Finnish Evangelical Church.
• 1909   Church completed at a total cost of $15,000.
• 1938   Renovation work to include side arches to the alter completed.
• 1957   Finnish Evangelical Church changes to Faith Lutheran Church.
• 1977   Church was disbanded due to financial hardship, aging parishioners and deteriorating neighborhood.
• 1979   Church was sold to North American Islamic Trust for $27,000. Masjid Al-Arkham (Mosque) was inaugurated. ISGW was established as a sub-chapter of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Halal meat was made available. First in central Massachusetts.
• 1980   Pews were removed. Second floor became the main prayer hall.
• Direction of Qibla was disputed, and prayers were being offered in two directions for a short time. Finally, the original direction based on ISNA publication was agreed to and made permanent.
• 1982   Work began on drafting the first Constitution and its Bylaws.
• 1983   First Sunday school was started. Adjacent land was purchased from the City of Worcester for $1300 (7,920 sq. ft. for parking). Entered into Worcester Heritage Preservation Society as a building of historical significance.
• 1984  Additional Land was purchased from Dominic and Lucy Zarette for $6000 (11,538 sq. ft.for additional parking).
• 1987  Renovation work was completed to add ladies section, classrooms and major plumbing and heating work.
• 1991  Movement started to educate area Muslims to get involved in main stream politics. First in New England.
• 1992  First Constitution and its Bylaws were approved and ratified.
• 1993  Resolution was passed to establish the first full time Islamic school (Alhamra Academy).
• 1997  Dr. Salah Sultan was appointed as the first Imam.
• 2003  Decision was made to build a new Islamic center due to lack of space and an ever growing congregation projections.
• 2004  Islamic Society of Greater Worcester (ISGW) was registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an independent organization.
• 2006  The congregation moved to the new Islamic center called the Worcester Islamic Center (WIC). Mosque was closed.
• 2007 Mosque opened again to the congregation.
• 2008 Major renovation work was completed (exterior and interior) to add more space for the ladies, new roof, new bathrooms, and installation of a crescent on the steeple.