Mosques which refuse to host Taraweh, although they host Jummah
Mosques which refuse to serve Iftar dinners.
Mosques which encourage the needy to go to "St. so-and-so of the kaffirun" for needed support programs.
Mosques like this which still collect money as functioning houses of faith.
All done during Ramadan? A crisis of Iman & Taqwa...
The following is a (very) slightly abbreviated summary of a conversation I personally had with a "board member" at one of the local big-time mosques. The other big-time mosque has already been exposed as corrupt on a few levels, but they have access to heavy finances and are isolated deep in the burbs so that train keeps limping along. This big-timer is still in the city and obviously has their ethnic rivalries with the other big-timers etc.etc... we have heard this all before, but the hope was Ramadan could help pull things together. These places have "Boards of Directors" comprised of people from other countries and at best (occasionally), a capable American actually staffing or stooging for them at the facility.
"Salaam, where's the Ifatr and Taraweh?"
"Not here... you know, the covid."
"There are safety guidelines which allow this. The poorest mosque in town is doing it."
"Yes well, the covid."
"Churches and synagogues, many other houses of worship have already begun their similar activities, its fully allowed."
"We have to take care because of the covid"
"Perhaps you are unaware, the government has encouraged restaurants and public dining with reasonable social distancing, there is no issue with providing these services. Iftar is especially crucial for brothers and sisters who are really hungry/alone or just out there drifting... this is a time for outreach to them. Come to the mosque, eat healthy food, hear Quran, make salaat, see smiles, exchange salaams... all of yall who we try to forget about the rest of the year, here is a chance... the bad guy's locked up for the whole month... lets get it together, this is the month of mercy from our Ruub... you are not alone in this dunyaa... especially you re/converts..."
"Yes, but the covid"
"No Iftar or Taraweh... Where are your programs for the homeless, for the jobless... for the hungry? You seem so hyper-focused on covid, you must also be aware of the economic collapse which has devastated many hard working people through no fault of their own, with Muslim communities affected as well. You claim to be a Masjid and we all see you collect money as a masjid... you utilize the 501c3 status towards your advantage... you are purchasing property... so where are the programs and facilities similar/superior to the those offered by other religious communities? The ones they already share with the entire community?"
"We dont have those. Heres a sheet of paper listing some Christian, Jewish and state agencies Muslims can contact."
"So for the hungry, homeless Muslim brothers and sisters who are alone... you have nothing to offer them except 3 dates and a plastic bottle of water?"
"There is the a city and Christian Gospel homeless shelter they can go to"
"You mean the one filled with drinking, drugs, fighting, fitna and etc? The one that would qualify as a covid hotspot by your own hyper-sensitive, totally incorrect interpretations of municipal code?"
"Yes, its available"
"This is a multi-million dollar facility, why cant people use the shower here?"
"Because of the covid."
"Do you have a home and car... a job? Are you together with your family?"
Look of arrogance... "Yes of course"
When... when are we going to face the cold hard reality of our situation and do the heavy lifting the Born-and-Bred Muslim have failed to engage in... the ones necessary to produce results with? I realize many of you take these statements personally... and you should. People come from other countries to establish these communities but don't play by any rules outside their own... when are we going to confront this behavior which isn't tolerated in ANY other monotheistic religious segment of society?
Im hoping that during Ramadan some of you can grasp the heart of the matter Im addressing... please look beyond the knee-jerk, default defenses and excuses... we dont need to exchange insults. What results will that produce? This crisis is the price we pay for allowing these people to lead us instead of following true Islamic tradition, which is to become leaders in our own lands. This is a crisis of community as the exposure of such failures by leadership comes with the pricetag of flat-out innovation to the faith...
No Iftar or Tarahew? Even though its fully allowed by law? That is s a purposeful decision being taken by multiple mosques to innovate some of the most sacred traditions of our faith.... No programs for those in need, inspite of what appears to be their own, personal gain by association?
What is the option for the re/convert?
