[Evsltkzl]

Just recently, a few one day programmes were organised for the community by a group of ulamah who decided to hold them at the local masjid where the turnout would be alot better and more people would be able to benefit. The programme took weeks of preparation, was free to attend, no cost to the masjid, as all costs (leaflets, posters, equipment etc) was paid for by the organisers and had the whole-hearted support of one of the imams.

The reaction from the masjid committee was mind boggling. 'What is the need of teaching all this?' they said 'A masjid should only do salah, jumuah bayans and tableegh from TJ' Other committee members accused the organisers of teaching the people too much Islam (??!!??) and made comments such as 'you are only interested in promoting yourself' (even though no names were given to the public). Other committee members mocked the efforts saying 'no-one will turn up' (The turnout was huge, 2-3 times what was expected), ‘You want to impart knowledge in modern ways’ . Other silly actions such as ripping the posters off the noticeboard, refusing to open the building early etc. hindered everything.

Despite all that, the programme was very well received in the community, although it put us off doing anything else in the masjid for a long time.

What I'm trying to say is, the Imams will often want to hold activities and programmes but efforts are hindered by committee members who are afraid of losing their power over the masjid. As a result, every effort is questioned, ridiculed, hindered, mocked, unsupported and restricted. Its no wonder we have some imams who join the masjid with alot of enthusiasm and good ideas but give up after a year of battling the committee. I'm not saying all committees are like that. Unfortunately, our’s is. Unless they change, I cannot see any the aalims in the community being proactive in the masjid.