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Dictators & Demagogues within the Muslim Community
10-04-2017
“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Although this is a commonly known wisdom. Yet, Muslim communities, generally, across the globe, from state levels all the way down to local mosques politics or managements have voluntarily and gladly fallen victim to it. Consequently, ended up paying the price for it collectively.
“Verily, never will Allah change the condition of a people, until they change what is in their hearts.” Al-Quran
Unless we all as a community try changing our state of affairs, individually and collectively, our conditions will worsen. We need to start the process of change at our own individual level, as well as our local levels. It is only then, we can see our conditions changing.
For instance, past weekend, two acts of terrorism were carried out. One in Edmonton, Canada, the other one in Las Vegas, USA. Authorities instantly deemed the Edmonton attack, where there were no deaths and five injuries – an act of terror. On flip side, Las Vegas, the biggest mass murder in recent US history, where at least 59 people were killed, and more than 500 were injured. The authorities remained tight lipped, not calling it what it is – an act of terror. This despite the fact that ISIS has claimed responsibility for it.
The prime difference between the two acts of terrors carried out within 24 hours of each other. In Las Vegas, the suspect was a white Caucasian male, therefore, a “disturbed” individual – “The White Privileged.” The suspect in Edmonton was Black Somali youth, therefore it must be an act by an Islamic “Terrorist” on behalf of ISIS.
Let’s face the facts. With each such passing act where the suspect is a Muslim, authorities skillfully manage to connect the dots for the media to perpetuate fear among the general masses against Islam and Muslims. Each such manufactured accusation maligns Islam, and Muslims, negatively impacting each and every one of us. First our children are negatively affected at school, picked upon and bullied by others. Another question mark is placed upon us, and our future motives, or our “hidden agenda” we supposedly are harbouring in our minds, among our colleagues at work. Our neighbours start looking at us suspiciously. Our women face difficulties going out in the public. Suddenly, we realize that the cloud of suspicion upon us is getting darker. Yet, our apathy – lack of concern – to change our condition or situation remains the lowest on our priority list.
An excellent example of how our apathy affects us now and in future would be when one of our local mosque, Masjid Al Hidayah made headlines last week. “Audit of BC mosque charity alleges personal spending, ‘relationship’ with Qatar group accused of supporting terror.”
This demonstrates, all it takes is one individual to defy the rules or deviate from an acceptable conduct expected from a self-proclaimed, appointed, or elected leader of a Muslim organization to cast a shadow of doubt on our entire community, making front page headlines.
However, this is not the first time in Canada where a Canadian Muslim Charity or mosque has made such headline. Back in 2011 one of Canada’s largest Muslim organization, ISNA Canada, also attracted similar headlines, “Muslim charity squandered money for poor,” as well as the CRA audit revoking their charity status, along with Canadian Islamic Trust Foundation, citing “possible funding of Pakistani militants.”
Google search on this topic certainly does generate numerous articles and news reports. All of them have a similar strand. One individual at the center of each respective entire fiasco. Always one individual behind each respective fiasco running the show, making decision, calling the shots and the rest of the board simply rubber stamped the decisions of one individual.
In case of ISNA fiasco, one individual who had been with the organization for more than thirty two years was the direct beneficiary. That one individual was calling shots and making decision.
Similarly, the recent news headline of local BC mosque, Masjid Al Hidayah and Islamic Cultural Centre in Port Coquitlam, seem to have similar tale. Where the CRA audit uncovered that “its former president and Imam spent tens of thousands of dollars on personal purchases including a spa, jewelry, video games, and hair dye.”
In both instances above, the individuals at the center of attention had been with the organization for a very long time. In both instances above internal control and financial oversight seemed to be lacking.
As we reflect back on such incidents and how the Muslim community’s name is sullied and long term impact of it, we also need to take lion share of the blame.
How is it that one or two individuals come and hijack entire institution which we all support with our hard earned dollars to benefit Muslim Ummah here and abroad?
The answer is simple, we as individuals do not wish to step up to the plate and do some volunteering work for the community, allowing others to fill in the void and remain satisfied that just by supporting it financially discharges us from all other responsibilities.
The blame squarely lies with each one of us who allow individuals to become self-proclaimed leaders, unchecked, unaccountable.
It is time that we exercise our collective power, holding individuals and so-called Muslim organizations, with self-proclaimed leadership to be more transparent. We need to demand that such organizations become more transparent by becoming more democratic, such as the BCMA, where individual office holders are elected, and are responsible to the community for making its business open to the membership in terms of its accounting, audited financial statements, providing details how it collects funds and how those funds are spent.
If any organization that does not wish to adhere to simple common sense request by the community. Than it is the community members who will have the final say, by stop funding or supporting the organization with their donations.
Sadly to say, that is not the case. We all must bear the weight or carry the guilt that such situation arose due to lack of responsibility on our part. Due to lack of courage on our part on seeking accountability from those whom have either proclaimed themselves as our leaders or we have allowed them to call themselves our leaders.
Unless and until we all realize that we all have to do more than what we have been doing and taking some responsibility for the ill action of others. We will continue to be enslaved to our mental slavery and those in power will continue to amass power and eventually corrupt, and bring us all down with them.
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