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In every Muslim community, the guardians of moral courage are its scholars, leaders, and jamaah.
When these guardians fall silent in the face of wrongdoing, injustice becomes normalized — and that is the first sign of a community in decline.
We Are a People of Justice — Let It Start Within Our Masajid
We live in America, a nation built on freedom, fairness, and accountability. How then can we tolerate injustice in our own houses of worship? How can we allow behavior that contradicts every principle we claim to uphold?
A painful reality we must confront is that good, sincere people are quietly distancing themselves from the masajid —
not because they lack faith, but because they want to protect their hearts and families from the fitnah and the toxic atmosphere.
We have already seen multiple families stop coming altogether. This is not just a sign of discomfort;
it is a warning that the spiritual health of our community is being compromised.
A Community That Spoke — and Was Ignored
During last Sunday’s Community meeting (11/21) at JIAR Parkwood, the pulse of the community was loud and clear:
Uphold justice. Restore fairness. Respect the Imam & extend his contract.
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“Even if you bring 500 petitions, we will not hire the Imam. It's final.”
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This is not leadership. It is not shura. It is not humility. It is arrogance inebriated in power that contradicts the very spirit of Islam.
In nonprofit governance, the Board carries a fiduciary duty — a sacred and legal obligation — to listen to, represent, and act in the best interest of the community they serve.
When leadership stops listening to the jamaat and instead enforces decisions based on personal ego, control, or internal alliances, they are not exercising authority — they are violating trust.
And this violation has consequences. We are witnessing it with our own eyes:
people reaching out to the courts & other governing authorities because they are not heard. This gross violation is unacceptable.
A Pattern of Wrongdoing
The injustice did not begin today.
First, the two brothers were removed from the board without being heard — a right even Islam’s enemies were not denied.
Now, the same injustice is being inflicted upon our Imam.
When I once spoke out against the injustice in the authoritarian regimes back home, a wise friend told me,
“Brother, the problem is not them — it is us.” At the time, those words struck me deeply.
Today, seeing what is happening in our own community, I finally understand how true and relevant that message really is.
Where Is Islam in All of This?
Is Islam only for khutbahs and short reminders?
Or is Islam a complete way of life — one that commands justice even when it is difficult?
Our children grow up hearing stories of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) standing firm against oppression.
What will they make of our silence when injustice unfolds before our eyes?
“O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses for Allah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives.”
— Qur’an 4:135
“Help your brother whether he is oppressed or the oppressor.”
They said, “How do we help the oppressor?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “By stopping him from oppression.”
— Hadith (Tirmidhi)
A Call to the Imams of the Triangle Area
Your voice matters. Your unity matters. Your courage matters.
If an Imam can be treated unjustly at one masjid today, another Imam can be treated the same tomorrow. Silence helps no one — especially not the future of Islam in our communities.
We ask you to stand together for the principles our faith demands:
- Justice
- Respect
- Due process
- Dignity of the Imamate
- The rights and voice of the community
Let us be the generation that protected our masajid from arrogance and restored justice to our institutions.
May Allah unite our hearts, guide our leadership, and make us among the people who stand firmly for truth.
Ameen.
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