Updated 3:40 p.m.: Malik Khan, president of the Islamic Center of Boston, located in Wayland, said today he hopes that bin Laden's death brings a new, more hopeful feel to the next decade.

"We hope and pray things turn around," he said.

Ever since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, there has been so much violence, so much blood shed, and Khan said he hopes it is all over, at least for now.

He said the surrounding community has been very supportive of the center and so far, it has not received any inflammatory calls or emails.

Khan also mentioned the center's alliance with the Weston-Wayland Interfaith Action Group, who have also worked with Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, women from Needham and Wellesley, respectively, who both lost husbands in the attacks, and who began the Beyond the 11th Project, which supports widows in Afghanistan.

Whatever the end result may be of bin Laden's death, Khan is optimistic it means better things for all.

"I hope and pray that somehow, this event takes us to better times now."

UPDATED, 12:22 p.m.: U.S. Congressman Ed Markey, D-MA, who represents Waltham among other towns, has issued the following statement on the death of Osama bin Laden.

“This announcement, only a few months before the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, is an enormous milestone in our country's efforts to combat terrorism. It is a testament to the courageous and relentless work of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe overseas and here at home. Osama Bin Laden was the face of terror against the United States, the personification of the horror of the September 11th attacks. With the life of one of world history's most evil figures now extinguished, hopefully a measure of relief and healing can come to the families and loved ones of his victims. We will never forget those who perished on 9-11, including those on the two hijacked planes from Logan Airport that crashed into the World Trade Center Towers. As our nation moves forward, we must remain vigilant and continue our efforts to detect and deter attacks from al Qaeda and its affiliates around the world.”

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Updated, 12:35 p.m.: To see all the names of Massachusetts residents killed on September 11, 2011, click on this list, courtesy CNN.