The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-03-31
BOSTON TO HAVE
A MOSQUE SOON

Unless Imam Hadji> Mohammed Ali
desists in his determination, Boston is
destined to have Mohammedan
mosque in the near future, and the
mullah's doleful 1nvocation: "Allah is
great and Mohammed is his prophet!'
will ring forth in the clear morning
air. mingling itself with the peals Of
the church bells.
Mohammed Ali Is but a recent arrival
in this country, but with the keen per-
ception of an Oriental he quickly saw
that If a mosque is to grace these
shores, the only place to erect it would
be in Boston: and SO he came to Boston
to give it the distinction of being the
only city on this continent with a Mo-
hammedan house Of worship.
Though Mohammed Ali as vet lacks
sufficient capital to start building
operations he is positive Of getting the
needed money as soon as the gentle
zephyrs announce springs coming,
and has already selected the site.
Desiring to. keep the exact loca ton
a profound secret until able to name
the day for the lying OF the corner
stone, Ali refuses to state on what
much he is willing to divulge-the
mosque will be in South Boston.
Mohammed Ali expects contributions;
In fact, says that he is even now daily
recciA ing donations for the building
fund. though if worst comes to worst,
he was to build the mosque on his
own money. to be secured by selling
his estate in India, valued at SO, 900
rup]es.
In the small room in the rear of the
house at Leverett street, in d room
which serves as sleeping apartment,
living room and kitchen to Mohamne
Ali, he unbosomed himself to the Sun
day Post reporter. constantly declaim-
ing that Boston is such a beautiful
city that to deprive it of a mosque
would be nearly criminal.
Mohammed is a. peddler and a man
with dreams. He speaks English with
slight difficulty, continually inter-
jecting French words. and when in a
pinch relying on Hindostance and Ben
galese, which two latter languages he
uses with astonishing duency. but his
gestures are even more eloquent than
his intonations and he rolls his eyes
in the most picturesque manner.
"Oh, mon Dieu'' he said. 1.-THE mos
que will be built certainment so, for
there are many Mohammedans in this
city, and I have succeeded in interest
ing in my project many prominent
people.
II shall be the mullah, for I am a
good Mohammedan-I don't tell lies,
don't drink whiskey and 1 don't eat
| pork and I know the Koran better
than anybody else in this country.
1.-The mosque will be a magnificent
structure, and I expect to have quite
large congregation, but I will not
bother about people of other religions,
! not I. for I respect all.
"Of course, if people will come and
ask me questions, I will answer and as
for the success of the mosque, of that I
| have no doubt at all.
"A mosque was erected ten years ago
| in Liverpool. 1t was hard struggle, but
now-Oh, now it is altogether difficult
and SO it will be in this city,
| Il work hard; I cook myself I do
| everything my self and I save the money
! to build the mosque. I have already
quite good deal of it, but need more,
for I want that mosque to be a great
building
| Mohammed Allie claims that the sultan
of Morocco, in whose army he at one
time served, sent him $1,000 for that Bos-
ton mosque, and now he awaits a reply
| from the sutton Of Turkey