Reflection: Masjid Adminstrations

In all honesty, I don't think there is a single person in all of Canada who would sincerely vouch for loving the administration of their Masjid. This article is not a scathing generalization of Masjid administrations at large, without any consideration for exceptions and without any hope for change. This article is about admitting the sad reality that many Masajid admins are emotionally manipulative, psychologically deceptive and in some cases, spiritually (or religiously) abusive. Again, this may not happen in every Masjid or it may not play out to the same extremes. Many Muslims working under Masjid administrations often cannot comprehend the oppression in which they exist or the abuses they have deadened themselves to tolerate.

Masajid are not about tolerating manipulations, abusive administrations, sideshow behaviours or restrictive legalism - it is about expressing our love for Allah, receiving spiritual nourishment and above all, feeling safe and feeling a sense of belonging. How can anyone do ibaadah or feel loved when they are constantly in fear of being yelled at by the administrators for everything under the sun, throw out and losing their voluntary position. Many people will say that Masjid administrators are humans and as humans, they are allowed to fall a little short of virtue. Yes, to fall a little short is okay but to be the furthest away from any kind of religious propriety is not!
Masajid administrators have no management education yet they hoard pandemic religious power and authority over the Masjid. They rule like virtual dictators, having boards filled with yes-men to satisfy tax authorities. In reality, they answer to no one - to no committee, not to the congregation at all, not even to the Imaam. They are self-employed and self-credentialed. They literally believe that their words uttered in announcements and meetings are equivalent to the Words of Allah and should be accepted with the same devoution as the Quran.

It can be countered that the administration rules are consistent with what benefits the organization and functionality of the Masjid. If this is true, then why are almost all administrators devoid of any professional training. It may be a surprise to learn that Masjid administrations are usually run by a single family. Though they may use reams of papers to justify who they hire and fire, it is obvious that they are in the business for making money. By dishing out administrative position to their own family, they will enjoy absolute access to all Masjid finances and management. Their sons and daughters come to the Masjid once a month, only to collect their $500 to $900 cheques while other members are pressurized to volunteer for the Masjid all week, from 9 am to 5 pm without a dime (fi sabilAllah). They have parties and weddings at the Masjids expense. They do not consult the donors for any of their major purchases. They enjoy a blank check to control all classes and programs in the Masjid.
Any member volunteer who has reformation ideas is quickly disposed. The mildest form of dissent and inquiry is silenced. In these Masajid, the administration will stop you from giving adhaan and reject your resume for teaching only because you are not from their family. Your ijazah, degree and natural talents from Allah, will never be accepted by them because it threatens their sole control over the Masjid. And they will do anything to protect their authority and wallets. This not only leads to corruption, but also evasion of emaan.

This unchecked power can and does corrupt many administrators who feel the Masjid can be used as a platform for personal gain, the congregation is abused and controlled by tactics intended to create obedience and loyalty, ayaat from Quran and ahadith are contorted to bend the administrators personal opinions - and those that question or stand up to such abuses face public humiliation and ostracism. So, a system that was intended to revive Islam in Canada has devolved into a corrupt system that manipulates people for wealth, leaving emotional and psychological scars on individuals and families for the rest of their lives. They may love Allah but they will never return to the Masajid where they experienced so much stress, strain and abuses by the administration.

I am saying all this because as a Muslim who has been part of Masajid all her life, I am really hurt. I gave so much to these Masajid and in return got nothing back. As a teacher, I do not want to lose a generation of Muslim children who do not have a place to grow up and learn Islam. I want Masajid to have administrative accountability and financial accountability. To hire Islamic teachers for their credential and not their bloodline. To allow the congregation to represent its needs and have them satisfied. I am not asking for a whole lot. I am only asking for what is fair. There are so many ways to make money, you dont have to use the Masjid.