The Spotlight: Sustainability of God’s Houses.
By Yero Jallow
“The word ‘Islam’ means ‘peace.’ The word ‘Muslim’ means ‘one who surrenders to God.’ But the press makes us seem like haters” (Muhammad Ali, Activist and Boxing Champion).
The Fundraising:
The Gambian Islamic Education and Cultural center in Minnesota organized a fundraising event on Saturday November 28th 2015 at the center’s housing in Minneapolis.
The Guest speaker, Imam Omar Abdou Rahim, a respected younger scholar and Imam, doubles as Imam of Dar Al-Farooq mosque located in Minneapolis. Dar al-Farooq is among the early mosques established in the area. Imam Omar is no stranger to Gambia’s community and frequented the community over the years. What accompanies the Imam’s resume is high eloquence, his insertion of humor, and using basic life examples to explain the Quran and Sunnah (tradition of Prophet Muhammad PBUH).
In May of 2014, Imam Omar presided over an event at the Gambian Center which was extensively covered by Gainako. The event which talked about marriage life is a bestseller and must read, as it offers a lot of substance worth noting. (Please access link https://gainako.com/?p=5182 ).
In yesterday’s (Saturday November 28th 2015) fundraising event chaired by Imam Kawsu Darboe, Imam Omar advised the community and people to stay away from vain talk and spend more time with family which is ibadah (worship). Parents as he jokingly puts it should avoid being only ATM machines that provides money, but no family time.
Questions and Answers:
Imam Omar also advised the gathering to support the upkeep of the mosque. On answering a question from attendees on how the mosque can be sustained using strategies he is aware, he said if a mosque is properly registered, you can coordinate with other local community Islamic leaders to fundraise which will require you to show certificate of registration.
Another questioner asked the Imam if Zakat (charity) can be given to a non-muslim beggar in the street. Imam Omar responded that it is ok to give zakat to non-Muslims, and he encouraged that one mentions to the beggar the reason why it is being given –charity. He narrated a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that collaborated it, about a man that once gave charity to a non-believer, a wealthy man, and a prostitute respectively, and the man was informed that his zakat was accepted in all three instances.
Another questioner asked how can Muslims Parents explain and reconcile the current world events of terror by ISIS and other groups for the Muslim children. Imam Omar explained that the media mostly portrays wrong image of Islam. He added that parents should tell their children that such is not Islam and that the media is bias towards to Islam. He argued that the media show mostly the negative side of Islam. He openly chastised ISIS and condemned their widespread destruction of infrastructure and human life.
Another questioner, an elder and former Gambian journalist, Kawsu Touray, positioned to the Imam that Muslims should groom journalists who will write the true story of Islam, to which Imam Omar acknowledged and agreed, and he quickly noted that it is complicated, especially on how to condition students to study only journalism for living.
Mosque Sustainability:
Sustainability of Mosques everywhere poses a lot of challenges. Communities and the presiding communities need a great deal of organization and peoples’ skills. Added to peoples’ skills, a strong outreach is also important, which can target a constituency. As such centers continue to exist, they should explore opportunities in limiting their dreams to affordability, patronize and celebrate its committed few members, and build a healthy environment that welcomes everyone to God’s house, a law-abiding and tranquil environment that offers the much needed warmth.
No doubt, a good structural set up with a committed executive is one way to win, and service to community and the mosques is entirely voluntary, therefore those that offered to represent, must as well avail themselves to serve. The Mosque financial team has to be go-getters and do aggressive follow-ups with those that do pledges. Funding can be also raised by organizing fundraising dinners which are capable of attracting a lot of people. An outreach to other possible Muslim donors is also advisable, as Imam Omar noted during his speech, “Some Muslims can be very generous.”
The Conclusion:
Said and done, the Gambian Islamic Education and Cultural Center does good in its monthly Islamic discussions (Halaka), the kids’ weekend school (Dara), and the hosting of many other events like weddings, baby-naming ceremonies, community meetings, and so forth, therefore having it continually there should be a prioritized interest. The mosques are God’s houses, and should be a place to frequent, to celebrate, to support, to love, and moreover to protect.
The Ends.