Dear MPAC,
I would like to thank you for putting my comment on your front page. If you would like to put up my views to balance the debate, how about allowing me time to put together a proper article?

Yes, please do. Email your article to info@mpacuk.org.

Assalaam walaikum and Greetings

I would like to comment on brother Saeeds frustration.

The brother seems to suggest that Muslims who whinge on various forums about what is wrong with their Mosques, are nothing more than "e-Muslims" who are not proactive enough to do anything themselves. And, if things do not change, then we should setup our own Madrassas or Mosques and show how it is done.

This is all very well but I believe that the brother is wrong on both accounts.

The Mosques are (how should I put it) "inflitrated" by people who have little understanding on what a Mosque should do. Typically, they are 'elders' with no formal education (in Islam or worldy affairs) and like to run the Mosque as they see fit. Typcially, their role Model of a Mosque is one of a Mosque back home in their villages.

When an educated Muslim, be it a young one or an old one with a BSc/MSc/PhD, tries to suggest improvements to make the Mosque more inviting and more transparent, such 'elders' see this as a threat to their position. Rather than listen to the views, they brush it aside. And the Status Quo continues.

In the event that you do find an Imam or a governer who openly agrees with what one has to say, then resistance is to be found from other governers or the local community who object to such changes.

In such a case, you have to ask the question : Are these 'elders' really serving Islam and running Mosques for the sake of Allah(SWT). Or are they running a Mosque so that they can keep their position as a 'Mosque Governer' so that the Community can mention their name in honour ?

It seems to me, it is the latter as any GOD-fearing person would be honoured to listen and implement wise suggestions "for the sake of Allah(SWT)". We are, afterall, Muslims who should be helping one-another.

The answer, I'm afraid, is that their 'honour' or 'upstanding image of the community' is at stake when recommendations are suggested.

When certain governers or members of the local community hold the purse-strings of the Mosque, (as it seems to me), it is all too easy to see why changes are impossible (as money can be withdrawn). The governers running Mosques are under the pay-packet of certain individuals who will withdraw the monies those individuals are 'kicked-out'. Hence, the reluctance for changes.

So, I object to being labelled as a e-Muslim, who is not proactive. I have tried and tried, but failed.

The brother suggests that if I am unhappy with a Maddrassa or a Mosque that I should setup my own one, which is to be exemplarly.

Does the brother not understand that this is, in some respects, a cowardly approach ?

Why exactly should I setup my own Mosque or Maddrassa, just because I am frustrated with the way my local Mosque or Madrassa operates. What if another Muslim does not like the manner in which we conduct this new Mosque. Does this means he should setup his own Mosque ?

Does the brother not see that rather than tackling the fundamental issue with our Mosques that we are actually adding to the divisions that already exist between Mosques. Or, diverting the attention away from the real issue ?

Creating another Mosque or Maddrassa is not the solution. Apart from the monies needed to set it up, this is not addressing the REAL issue.

The real issue is

1) Why are Mosques allowed to have unqualified individuals who are ill equipped to run a Mosque as it should be.

2) Why do such governers see their positions under threat, when someone recommends changes.

The Mosque is designed to serve the Community.
If it doesn't then it is failing and we need to correct this. If this means kicking people out and replacing them with better qualified individuals then so be it.

Wasalaams and Regards

Wasalaam Sultan,

What an excellent comment, mashallah! :)

People who set up mosques, and run mosques do it not for money but for name, fame, position, power etc. Hence mosques are not democratic. That's why you see mosque employees are all related in some way and are not employable in the open market. On the other hand those professionals and/or students who also have their life and family on top of that give their time and effort to ask questions about how our mosques are serving us, represent Muslims in the media, pulling some political muscle they are the real MUSLIMS. Muslims who care for the welfare of its community and are doing something about it. These mosques/organisations and those running them are not doing their job, for which they're paid for by their community and government too. That's why MPAC and such organisations exists. If mosques/organisations did their job then MPAC would not need to exist.

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

I am not from your tribe, however I come in peace and hope my presence here does not offend anyone. I am very interested in learning about our communities of all races in Britain and write with a heavy heart at the division's I witness within all our community's and would suggest that the Internet can be used as a positive voice for all peoples, especially when there is no other source in which to be heard. we cannot force change, but we can debate it on the internet without fear of persecution. With regards to this posting, in my opinion, I agree with Sultan, for in his wisdom he knows that it is diffucult to merge the old ways with the new, which is evidently the biggest challenge facing this generation and the next. I pray one day we all awake from the illusion of separation and become one people in union with God.
Peace be upon you all. Boudicca.