A Reader writes in and says that although MPAC is too hard in his view, Mosques must change and we must all lend a hand in changing them.

I have read a number of emails and articles circulated by MPAC on the state of the Muslims. I agree with a lot that has been said but sometimes questioning the language and method used to make the point.

No questions about it we are in a mess. We look at counterpart groups and it hurts me to say that we have to learn from their efficiency and organisation.

We have the True Religion so what has gone wrong? Why can Muslims be trampled on? Why don't we have a say in politics?

The finger has been pointed at our Mosques. It is undeniable that many mosques in the country are prayer halls and not much more. The time when Mosques were the focal point of the community has now past. However through the efforts of brothers and sisters around the country, including those at MPAC Muslims are awakening to the fact that we have over the last decades become a group of reactionaries. It is time that we plan ahead, short, medium and long term and learn to be proactive.

For far too long we have waited for things to go wrong before screaming (or just a whimper in most cases). We need to establish a powerful lobby group so it is not down to Muslims to complain when things go wrong in the media, but to ensure than things do not go wrong in the media in the first place.

Speaking to Muslims, it is clear that everyone has a solution - usually impractical! We are too quick too point to others, this mosque should be doing this, that group should be doing that, MPACUK should work harder, HT should change. However we have to ask what are WE doing, each of us individually, to remedy the situation.

Where do we go now?

We need to take a holistic approach. Looking at all avenues and be clear what our aims are. What appears a short term gain may in fact harm us in the long term. We must plan and plan together as one community. Setting aside our difference but uniting under the Shahadah. There is no one solution to help us. We need to look at all areas that affect the Muslims and produce a plan on how to work this.

Qur'an and Sunnah

he first thing that we have to do is look and the teachings of Islam.  Islam is a perfect religion - it has the solutions. Everyone of us must work hard to stick to the teachings of the Qur'an and revive the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We must implement Islam in out lives. This is where we are different from politicians. Without this we can forget everything else. We must pray five times a day. We must learn to have patience. We must want for our brothers and sister what we want for ourselves. This last point is unfortunately a rare quality amonst us.

We must ensure that we work on our Imaan. If our Imaan is weak, even though we may want to benefit the Muslim world we will not be able to. If we see an evil we must try and change it with our hands, if not this then by our tongues and if not this in our hearts - and this is the weakest form. Therefore we must fear only Allaah, have hope in only Allaah and continually pray Allaah.

Are we strong enough to ensure that we can change politics rather than politics change us? MPACUK has advocated that we join political parties. I agree with this message as long as we do not make the same mistake as others. Politics is power and power gives us pride. One of Shaytaans weapon.

Working together

hen each of us truly try to adopt Islam into our lives, we will be able to work together rather than inciting hatred and pointing the finger. We now accuse the mosques of so many wrong doings but without them we don't know where we would have been. We must not fall into the trap of blaming others. When your brother has fallen but doesn't know it, don't walk all over him, pick him up and ensure he does make the same mistake.

I note that in the past groups have published  work telephone numbers for mosque committee members so readers could phone to complain. Yet would we allow our number to be published or would prefer to omit this in fear of hate calls. We have to put ourselves in the shoes of our brothers and sisters. Think about their position and we will then be able to approach them with careful consideration.

Mosques

I have heard people advocating an onslaught on the committee members of our mosques.

I know if my local mosque had people banging on our doors giving grief all the volunteers would pack up. Those who had been incited would also leave and we would be left with no mosque. Thankfully the mosque I frequent does adhere to what MPACUK has been preaching - but many don't. What we need to do is talk the mosque committee and ask them to re-evaluate where the group is. Explain what is needed. Ask if someone from the mosque committee can be appointed to actively take charge for each of the following: ensuring sisters are catered for, media watch, youth group and liaison group to work with other mosques in the area. If the mosque committee cannot appoint someone in each of these fields after you have made a case for why we need them, offer to take some charge - working WITH the committee. By working WITH instead of confronting the mosque committee we will insha Allaah be strong.

Future generations

We also need to think about future generations. What are we doing to ensure that they don't have to react to problems each time? Are we educating them properly? We have a few Islamic schools and many madrassas. But we need to prepare the next generation for the work that lay ahead. MPACUK will not exist and our mosques will be empty if we do not teach our children that we are one body, learn that we must be active Muslims and strive to be united.

Let us pray that the armchair Muslim is extinct. We must all stand up and work as one body.  This piece does not come up with the solutions - however we must re-think our approach and it is hoped that the reader will feel motivated to now do something constructive.

Invite (mankind, O Muhammad (SAW)) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided (Surah Nahl verse 125)

May Allaah help and guide us all.

MPACUK - Reviving Our Institutions

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