WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - The Boroughs Islamic Society celebrated the opening of a new Islamic Center on Bellows Road in Westborough.

The place of worship was established to serve the needs of Muslims living between Worcester and Framingham.

The building, which used to be a preschool, was acquired by the Boroughs Islamic Society in 2021 through fundraising efforts, and the past few years have been spent renovating it for a new purpose.

On Saturday, members of the local Islamic community gathered for an inauguration of the building, which included speeches and a meal.

Mynuddin Syed, president of the Boroughs Islamic Society, said the mosque will help meet the needs of the growing Islamic community in Central Massachusetts.

“There has been an influx of Muslim immigrants and other people from different parts of the country, so there has been a steady increase in the Muslim population in the Metro West area,” Syed said. “There was this unfulfilled need to have a permanent prayer space, and also a space where the community can come together, celebrate together and mourn together.”

Ikram Shaikh, Founding Member of the Boroughs Islamic Society, added that the community is grateful for having this new space to be together.

“It is definitely special for me personally and for the whole community, and this is all about the community and the people coming together,” Shaikh said.

The mosque held prayers on Friday, and they expect 300 people to come each Friday.

They are also expecting to host celebrations for Eid al-Fitr, which comes after 30 days of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, which is a feast of sacrifice.