Abstract
Muslim prayer spaces have mushroomed in unexpected locations in the U.S. over the last few decades, yet the social, spatial and cultural implications of their siting in places such as office buildings, homes, recreational centers, cathedral basements, and warehouses remains understudied. How might these repurposed religious sites cultivate a new sense of belonging among minorities? Based on participant observation, interviews, and spatial analysis at informal (or repurposed) Muslim sites in the greater Boston area, this article explores the power of mosque-making among Muslim migrants. Specifically, it discusses how such spaces can facilitate opportunities to cultivate solidarity and collective identity, focusing on three selected Muslim sites: the repurposing of a local house, a temporary adaptation of a cathedral, and the repurposing of a church. It thus argues that these mosques not only address religious needs but also become potential sites for empowerment and agency for Muslim migrants.