Source: The Boston Globe

On August 13, 2000, The Boston Globe reported on the Selimiye Mosque in Methuen and its example of how "changing demographics are making a mark on the religious landscape in the suburbs of Boston. Not only are many mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic congregations seeing a surge in church attendance, new houses of worship are being constructed by Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Mormons, and evangelical Christians."

"People are fed up with all the drugs and ills of society and they're going back to religion...I think everybody is struggling with these issues, whether they are Native Americans or of European descent or African-Americans or Muslims. People want to preserve the moral fiber of families," observed Mohammed Khusro of Andover, who is starting a Muslim school with his wife, Nafees. Indeed, according to Andover town planner Steve Colyer, major expansions are planned at three Protestant churches, one Roman Catholic church and a Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue and center. "I think it's reflecting people becoming a bit more religious, to tell the truth," Colyer said. "And churches are taking on different elements - community service and education."