The Islamic Center of New England (ICNE) (Arabic: المركز الاسلامي بنيو انجلند) is an Islamic organization incorporated in the state of Massachusetts in the early 1960s. History The Islamic Center of New England A History of Building the First Mosque and Muslim Community in New England (1931-1991) The Islamic Center of New England in Quincy was the long-range dream of eight Lebanese families, who came to this country at the turn of the 20th century, more than 100 years ago. They settled in the Quincy Point neighborhood, located near the Fore River Shipyard. The next generation, born in America to this handful of Muslim families, grew up in this same neighborhood, where they met and many were married. In 1964, the two generations working together finally succeeded in building a mosque. It was their hope that their children would learn about their religion. But after 30 years, most of their children had grown up and married outside the faith. An unexpected turn of events rapidly changed the demographics of the nascent community. The floodgates opened in 1965, when the United States Immigration Act was passed in Congress, and the mosque attracted Muslims from all over the world. The new Muslims in this second big wave of immigration were educated, skilled, and talented. They wanted their families to grow up in a Muslim community, and were relieved, as much as surprised to find a mosque in America. They travelled from all the six New England states to join and support the Center, the only mosque in New England for more than a decade. At this point, the founding families realized that they had built a mosque, not just for their children, but for all Muslims. Diversity is one of the great features and challenges for the American Muslim community. The community in Quincy rapidly included people from more than 30 countries, outnumbering the handful of Lebanese founders. Representing different cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, socio and educational backgrounds, the Muslims like other religionists, also held different religious views. The rich diversity gave new meaning to the statement of the Prophet Mohamed, Prophet of Islam, who said, “Diversity in my community is a blessing.” One of the most important unifying facts on which to build and grow the new Muslim community was that Islamic and American values overlapped seamlessly. These values include respect for law, justice, autonomy, family ties, equality, brotherhood/sisterhood, democracy to