New England's largest mosque selects new leader

BOSTON (AP) — The largest mosque in New England has selected a young cleric from New Jersey as its new imam.

The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center on Tuesday announced that 32-year-old Shaykh Yasir Fahmy takes over as its top spiritual leader on Sept. 1.

He replaces William Suhaib Webb, who left for a position in Virginia.

Fahmy was selected from a field of more than 40 applicants and after a six-month search.

He received a degree from Rutgers University and studied at Islamic University of Jordan and Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. He was most recently scholar-in-residence at the Islamic Center of Passaic County, New Jersey. He worked for three years in finance.

He is married with one son and according to his biography, enjoys fishing and a good cup of coffee.