The first full week of November is a busy one for Muslim families in Massachusetts. The clocks have just fallen back, Maghrib now comes before most people finish work, and the calendar fills up fast: a public lecture at MIT on Monday, Election Day on Tuesday, a benefit for Gaza's university students on Thursday, and a Saturday that brings the Boston Halal Food Fest and an evening mixer for young professionals. In between, the Muslim American Society's center south of Boston keeps its weekly classes and youth clubs going. Here is the week, day by day, with what each organizer says about times, cost and registration. Plans can change, so check the organizer's page before you head out.

Monday, Nov. 2: Waqf and the monuments of Samarkand, at MIT

Where: MIT Building 3, Room 133, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts. When: 6 p.m.

The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT continues its fall lecture series with cultural historian Anna Pronina, whose talk is titled "The 'waqf question' in Soviet Turkestan and Architectural Restoration." According to the program's lecture page, she looks at Samarkand between 1922 and 1927, when Soviet preservation agencies short on money tried to reach the revenues of waqf, the Islamic charitable endowments that had long paid for mosques, madrasas and shrines. That brought them into conflict with the new Soviet waqf administration and with local Muslim communities and the custodians of endowed property. The talk asks who controlled those resources and who had a say over Islamic buildings. For anyone who has ever given to a masjid building fund, it is a striking look at how endowments keep sacred spaces standing. MIT lists the lecture as free and open to the public, with a live stream.

Monday, Nov. 2: Islam in Focus for women, in Braintree

Where: MAS Salaam Center, 1681 Washington St., Braintree, Massachusetts. When: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

MAS Boston's weekly entry-level class for women is led by MAS Boston chaplain Hoda Elsharkawi. The listing says topics include creed, worship, self-purification, reflections on the Qur'an, women in Islam and the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him. A virtual option is available, and MAS asks those who want to attend to email the chaplain at the address on its event page.

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day

The Secretary of the Commonwealth's voter guide says that on Tuesday, Nov. 3, all polling places are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. This year's ballot carries nine binding statewide questions, the most Massachusetts voters have ever been asked to decide, so the state suggests bringing notes with you. The state's VoteInMA.com site lets you check your registration information. With Asr and Maghrib now falling in the afternoon, it can help to plan your prayer and your trip to the polls together, especially if you are voting after work.

Wednesday, Nov. 4: Tafseer class, in Braintree

Where: MAS Salaam Center, Braintree, Massachusetts. When: 6:30 to 8 p.m.

"Reviving the Soul" is a weekly tafseer reading and reflection for brothers and sisters, also with Sr. Hoda Elsharkawi. The group is studying Imam Tantawi's The Intermediate Tafseer of the Noble Qur'an. As with the Monday class, MAS asks people to email ahead through its event page.

Thursday, Nov. 5: A benefit for Gaza's university students

Where: Al Wadi restaurant, 1249 VFW Parkway, Boston, Massachusetts (West Roxbury). When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Gaza Scholarship Initiative is holding an evening to raise money for online learning and tuition for Palestinian students at universities inside Gaza, and for living costs of its scholarship students abroad. The ticket page lists Levantine food, live oud music by Michael Mesleh, a welcome from the initiative's executive director, testimonies from its students in the United States and an update on its plans for 2027 and 2028. Tickets start at $50, capacity is limited, and the organizers say donations are welcome from those who cannot attend.

Thursday, Nov. 5: MSA dinner at Mount Holyoke

Where: Mount Holyoke College, 50 College St., South Hadley, Massachusetts. When: 5 to 7 p.m.

In western Massachusetts, the Muslim Student Association at Mount Holyoke College is hosting a Muslim Student and Faculty Mixer with dinner, a chance for students and faculty to meet and share experiences. The college calendar says all are welcome and asks guests to RSVP through the MSA's page.

Friday, Nov. 6: Kids and boys clubs, in Braintree

Where: MAS Salaam Center, Braintree, Massachusetts. When: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Two Friday evening clubs meet at the same time, which helps families with more than one child: the Crescent Kids Club for ages 5 to 10 and the Boys Club for ages 10 to 15. The MAS calendar does not list a price, so contact MAS Boston for details.

Saturday, Nov. 7: Last listed day of Islam 101 at the ISBCC

Where: Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, 100 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts. When: 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The ISBCC's free Saturday class, "Islam 101: Building Faith Through the Five Pillars," is listed on Prayers Connect as running from Oct. 3 through Nov. 7. It is meant for new Muslims, interfaith neighbors and anyone curious. Call the ISBCC office before you go to confirm the session is on.

Saturday, Nov. 7: The Boston Halal Food Fest

Where: ISBCC outdoor parking lot, Roxbury. When: Noon to 4 p.m. (rain date Sunday, Nov. 8).

The second annual festival, under the theme "One Community, Many Flavours," brings halal dishes from local vendors, cultural displays and family activities to the masjid's parking lot. The Eventbrite page says it is free and open to all ages, with registration online. We covered the details in our full preview of the Food Fest.

Saturday, Nov. 7: A fall mixer for young Muslim professionals

Where: Shop 6 | Red Multi, The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., Cambridge, Massachusetts. When: 6:15 to 8:45 p.m.

"Ever been the only Muslim in your office?" asks the Muslim Social Club of Boston, which is hosting a relaxed evening with pizza, soft drinks and icebreaker games and, in its words, "no pitches and no agenda." Tickets are $25 on Luma, with full refunds until 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Sunday, Nov. 8: Girls Muslimah Club, in Braintree

Where: MAS Salaam Center, Braintree, Massachusetts. When: 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The week closes with MAS Boston's Sunday club for girls ages 12 to 17. If Saturday's Food Fest is rained out, Sunday is its backup date, so the weekend could end with a family lunch in Roxbury.

Hosting something we missed? Send us the name, date, time, place and a link through our contact page, and we will look at it for next week's list.