Resources for Reporting and Standing Up Against Misconduct

7 months ago

Muslim Community Association

Asalamualaikum Beloved Community Members,

The Muslim Community Association is committed to ensuring that our campus is a peaceful and safe environment for our families, for every member of our community young and old, and for every visiting guest. The mosque is a sacred space and should be given respect as not only a community center but also as a place of worship.

We want to take a moment to share measures we'd like everyone to be aware of in order to ensure safety, and emphasize that we unequivocally condemn abuse of power at the hands of authority figures. There is a zero tolerance policy for predatory behavior. Do not hesitate to flag any concerns about misconduct by messaging [email protected].

MEASURES CURRENTLY IN PLACE FOR SAFETY

The following are measures that MCA currently has in place to support safety and prevent misconduct:

Any hire at MCA is required to complete a background and reference check.
A flier on the topic of Misconduct Incident Reporting is a resource recently posted throughout the MCA.
MCA regularly reposts its Code of Conduct. Please take a moment to read over it. We require all children under 18 be supervised at all times. We have security and video surveillance as well to ensure cooperation and hold individuals accountable.
Holding circles for healing and processing in collaboration with MCA Youth and Khalil Center.
Addressing these topics candidly in our khutbahs.
Hosting training for misconduct prevention and identification.
No counseling of the opposite gender in a closed space or without mahram.
Only approved MCA imam/shaykhs/shaykhas can offer appointments through official MCA channels.
Meetings between opposite genders must not occur in closed spaces - they must occur in public, open spaces such as with open doors and rooms with visible windows in public spaces. No imam or shaykh is exempt from this policy.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

In addition, please consider the following resources not affiliated with the MCA:

Counseling tailored for the Muslim community such as Khalil Center (which has a satellite office in the MCA facility) and Maristan.
In Shaykhs Clothing and The Hurma Project for overcoming spiritual abuse by religious authorities and toolkits such as The Religious/Spiritual Abuse Toolkit and A Soulful Islamic Guide: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Please keep in mind:

Being a religious figure or being in a position of authority does not give license to expect blind obedience, including when questionable or suspicious activities take place. Hold all accountable, including religious teachers and authority figures. It is our obligation to speak up and act against any injustice.

Any teacher, employee, or volunteer in a position of authority over you:

Will never cross professional boundaries, which includes sending you messages of a personal nature or asking you to send them money personally. Nor will they send you money for personal reasons.
Will never cross non-mahram boundaries such as asking you to meet alone with them in private and alone without a mahram present, getting uncomfortably close to you, or touching you in any way.
Will never take advantage of anyone in a vulnerable state such as pressuring you to make decisions in a time of grief, financial distress, or just having converted.
Will never promise you spiritual reward and benefits if you fulfill their personal requests.
Will never form a romantic relationship with you.
Will never ask you to blindly follow their advice and refuse to be questioned.
Will never make you feel uncomfortable or abuse you in any way.

This list is not exhaustive. If you ever encounter a violation or are in a situation that makes you feel concerned or uncomfortable, report this to another authority immediately. No one is above accountability. Abuse and misconduct is never okay.

DUA FOR THE COMMUNITY

Again, if you need to report an issue or incident that violates attendance policy or the code of conduct, message [email protected]. MCA takes all reports seriously.

Every person who comes to our campus is an amanah and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to continue to build trust between our community and all who are participants. We encourage you to hold each other accountable and help protect our most vulnerable.

O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate from justice. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then know that Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do. (Al Nisa, 135).

We ask Allah to protect each of us and that He grants justice to all who are oppressed and abused. May we always put our trust in His hands. Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.

Signed,
The MCA Executive Board