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Qualitative Feedback From The Consultation Exercise |
1.0 What are the key challenges you see in the constitutions? 1.1 Key challenges that have been identified in the constitution include the lack of youth and women involvement. All consultation events identified this as a major stumbling block for MINAB. It was important to engage with this group for it was felt that these two groups constitute a major section of the community, “the unheard grassroots.” Many felt that these voices must be heard at all levels in the organization. Concepts such as proportional representation taking into account geography, female and youth participation have also been highlighted.
1.2 The issue relating to how to define a mosque was also identified as another key challenge for MINAB. Is an educational establishment not providing mosque service become member of MINAB
1.3 The question how the different sects will be represented according to their madhab has also been raised. There is still a thought that MINAB will self regulate based on a particular school of thought.
1.4 There is consensus that MNAB should not be involved with regulatory and non regulatory systems outside the United Kingdom.
1.5 There is some disquiet that MINAB will impose democratic principles onto to member organisation’s architecture.
1.6 There is also some submissions that have highlighted that MINAB needs to interact with the government to push the case for an improvement program to reduce social depravity, housing shortage and unemployment suffered by Muslims. It has a role in ensuring creating a climate of opportunity so that British Muslims are given equal opportunities to reduce their own deprivations. In this way, there will be a climate of change created where British Muslims will be fully active, working towards their own development as British citizens and arrive at a position from within their own experiences.
1.7 The language used in the constitution such as “advice” has suggested that the language is too authoritarian. It has also resulted in the interpretation that MINAB will have the necessary infrastructure to advice resulting in more questions as to what and who will constitute these structures.
1.0 What are the key challenges you see in the constitutions?1.1 Key challenges that have been identified in the constitution include the lack of youth and women involvement. All consultation events identified this as a major stumbling block for MINAB. It was important to engage with this group for it was felt that these two groups constitute a major section of the community, “the unheard grassroots.” Many felt that these voices must be heard at all levels in the organization. Concepts such as proportional representation taking into account geography, female and youth participation have also been highlighted.
1.2 The issue relating to how to define a mosque was also identified as another key challenge for MINAB. Is an educational establishment not providing mosque service become member of MINAB
1.3 The question how the different sects will be represented according to their madhab has also been raised. There is still a thought that MINAB will self regulate based on a particular school of thought.
1.4 There is consensus that MNAB should not be involved with regulatory and non regulatory systems outside the United Kingdom.
1.5 There is some disquiet that MINAB will impose democratic principles onto to member organisation’s architecture.
1.6 There is also some submissions that have highlighted that MINAB needs to interact with the government to push the case for an improvement program to reduce social depravity, housing shortage and unemployment suffered by Muslims. It has a role in ensuring creating a climate of opportunity so that British Muslims are given equal opportunities to reduce their own deprivations. In this way, there will be a climate of change created where British Muslims will be fully active, working towards their own development as British citizens and arrive at a position from within their own experiences.
1.7 The language used in the constitution such as “advice” has suggested that the language is too authoritarian. It has also resulted in the interpretation that MINAB will have the necessary infrastructure to advice resulting in more questions as to what and who will constitute these structures.
2.0 What are key challenges to MINAB?2.1 To ensure that MINAB does not succumb to the manifestation of sectarianism, it was consistently highlighted that diversity should be embraced in MINAB but any issue that focuses on sectarianism should be kept at bay. It was considered to be laudable value that MINAB was not going to be sectarian in its outlook. Making this aspiration a reality was going to be a challenge.
2.2 The challenge of the existing status quo of mosque was an identified hurdle. It was highlighted that changing views and opinions of established committees will be a difficult and challenging task. The notion of capacity building, better governance and better managing complex communities were issues that MINAB will need to deal with.
2.3 The challenge of facilitating the implementation and monitoring of standards was identified as a key challenge. How will the process work and whether there will be punitive actions taken against those who don’t meet the standards were highlighted.
2.4 The buy in of local mosques into this process was identified as a key issue that will also need to be addressed by MINBAB. Promoting MINAB within the community would also be challenge.
Because this is a new area, there will be reluctance of organizations to become members. The social case for becoming MINAB members will have to be identified. If an organization already has decent standards, why should it oblige itself to join MINAB?
2.5 The issue of MINAB’s financial independence from the government was also identified as a challenge. Fees for becoming members have also been raised.
2.6 The concept of self regulation through self assessment as it has not been previously applied to religious organizations, is considered to be unchartered waters for communities. There is clouded understanding of this concept and as this involves; the concept will have to be made more meaningful.
2.7 There is some confusion that MINAB will become a statutory body and thus a government instrument. This needs to be clarified.
2.8 Training of members of MINAB in this area of self regulation has also been highlighted. There is disquiet that MINAB will start getting involved in areas where there is sufficient participation from existing organizations. More involvement from MINAB could be construed as that existing organizations are being turfed out and that cold result in MINAB becoming less effective in its core area: self regulation through standards.
2.9 The support provided to an organization not performing on the standards was highlighted. There is a role for MINAB in this and how this gets discharged needs further exploration. Would it be in the direct form of support or indirect in the form of access to resources, networks and good practice.
2.10 Dealing with organisations who are persistent non compliersto standards will remain a challenge for MINAB. There is consensus that MINAB should not be using any sticks to get organizations to implement the standards. Rather it should be facilitative and supportive.
2.11 Maintaining the right level of balance with government is also a challenge. The engagement needs to be at a level so as to always remain independent of the government.
3.0 What needs to be in the constitution that is not there?3.1 The four founding members need to have appointment of their quotas taking into account women and youth.
3.2 There should be more space for women within MINAB. The issue of youth engagement has been highlighted and involving youth and women in decision making is critical to the success of MINAB.
3.3 The constitution should expressly state that the 20% proportionate representation is for the Shia’ Ithnaasheri Muslim Community and organizations and this clause should be ring-fenced and not be amendable to any amendment except by the Shia’ Muslim members and only if there is a 75% majority amongst them in favour of any amendment which may have the effect of diminishing those rights.
4.0 What is in the constitutions that needs to be deleted / amended / added4.1 The draft constitution embeds a two tier system within the Muslim communities by creating a special class of members known as the “founding members” who retain for themselves a 42 year monopoly of power and the right to appoint six persons who they like onto the Board . This right t is not given to any other member. This needs to be revisited.
4.2 The Executive Board is the powerful segment of MINAB and yet the majority on the members on the Board (55%) will not be elected by the grassroots organisations. Pursuant to Article 8(a), out of the 58 members only 26 will be elected by the General Council.
4.3 The office bearers will not be elected by the grassroots but by the Executive Board . This need to be addressed.
4.4 Each of the “founding members” have reserved for themselves the right to appoint all the four “Vice Chairs”, each of them entrenching the right to appoint one of them. This needs to be addressed.
4.5 The Executive Board has the duty to pass Standing Orders but there is no provision to have these approved by the General Council. This needs to be addressed.
4.6 There is some disquiet about the special case for minorities (ie the shias). If the same right is given to minority faiths, then similar rights need to be extended to women and youth.
5.0 What areas are in the standard document that are not covered that need to be covered?5.1 issues raised in the standards were welcomed. However, there needs to be more practical examples of the standards identified. These need to be more relevant to the needs of the muslim community in the United Kingdom, making them fit for purpose.
5.2 Standards should specify what satisfies being ‘suitably qualified’ (core standard 4) and ‘skills and techniques relevant to their work’ (core standard 5, element 1), e.g. minimum competency in the English language , minimum education in Islam.
5.3 There needs to be further clarity as to whether ethical Fundraising would a standard. Issues of protection for donors as they not give domination eg terrorism, leaflets.
5.4 Standards need to ensure there will be no discrimination in the implementation of policies that would be adopted by the mosque.
5.4 There is no mention for Muslim death and graveyards. He question on whether MINAB will self regulate these establishments and services provided different organisations has also been raised.
6.0 What are the barriers in implementing the standards?6.1 The standards are voluntary and if an organizations chooses to be a member but decided not to follow the standards, what avenues of actions would be open to MINAB?
6.2 There is misunderstanding that the standards is a back way to regulate mosques and that MINAB would be a government agency doing its work?
6.3 Mosques may not have the necessary infrastructure both in terms of finance and capacity to be compliant to the standards and hence they might just declare themselves compliant on the face of it whilst the reality might be different.
6.4 Standards should not be favouring any aqeedah or school of Thought.
6.5 What systems of incentives will be used to ensure members self assess appropriately and implement standards across the sector.
7.0 What areas should MINAB not be involved in?7.1 MINAB should not define Shariah Laws. It should not favour any sectarian groups. It should not be involved in the way the different sects practice their faith.
7.2 MINAB should not define the composition of the management committees of the individual mosques
7.3 MINAB should not be an enforcement agency
7.4 MINAB should be apolitical in its thought and action.
7.5 There was considerable feedback on whether MINAB should be involved on moonsighting issues, Madressa curriculum, and local disputes. Overwhelmingly, the opinion has been that MINAB should only be involved in works pertaining to standards and self regulation.
8.0 How could MINAB assist in building the capacity of Mosques to function as community hubs?8.1 MINAB could provide guidance on creating activities to attract a diverse range of people from the community (ie) professionals, youth, elderly). It could provide training programmes for mosques representatives.
8.2 MINAB could provide guidance on how to link to external organizations in order to tap into expertise
8.3 MINAB could provide on how to create links with the multifaith community.
8.4 MINAB should have advisory sub groups that masjids can tap into in order to gain specialist advice – drugs/prison
8.5 MINAB should assist mosque by helping to train imams in the social tools / skills required of Imams.
8.6 MINAB should suggest common topics to be discussed regularly by all mosques. It could provide guidelines on contents of items which are relevant and which promote common good.
9.0 How could the MINAB assist Mosques in matters of governance?9.1 MINAB could support the existing committee. Finance and organization matters / fund raising training
9.2 MINAB could help members implement regulation of the UK which apply to voluntary organizations such as health and safety, charity governance, CRB checks,
9.3 MINAB could provide certification of Imams/Mosques to certain standards.
10.0 What could the MINAB do as it advises Mosques to improve access and involvement of women and youth in mosques?10.1 MINAB needs to explain the role of women from Islamic perspective to management committee and Imams?
10.2 It needs to ensure organizations increase women and youth membership in management structures
10.3 There should be an Imam’s Code of Conduct that he should address the concerns of whole community in their sermons
11.0 What could the MINAB do as it “advises” relevant bodies on the training requirements for Imams?11.1 This area was highlighted as a challenge for mosques and Imams due to the different sects within Islam. However, what was highlighted that generic training such as on child protection, welfare, health and safety, drug abuse and smoking cessation needs to be picked up.
12.0 How should the MINAB remain non-sectarian in its outlook?12.1 MINAB should not indulge in controversial issues based on articles of faith
12.2 As a governing body MINAB should be impartial and not favorites in any way. |
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