By Muneeb Nasir

What can be done to make Muslim institutions more inclusive and relevant to the community?

A useful starting point for such a discussion would be to look at the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and the first institution he built in Madina to derive some general principles on establishing and running inclusive facilities.

Reading the reports of the Prophet’s (peace be on him) interaction with people in the Madina mosque is instructive, not only for the pearls of wisdom he uttered, but also for what it tells us about the nature of the institution.

Women and men of all ages, strata of society and faiths would visit the mosque. They came to pray, to listen to the Prophet and be educated; they met, discussed and debated matters of faith, practice, politics, the economy, war and peace; they would fraternize, celebrate and entertain themselves and they would mourn their losses – they would do all this within these simple walls.

But the Prophet’s mosque was more than a busy intersection. He created an inclusive institution. Everyone was welcomed – including women, children, youths, and elders – at anytime of the day and night and in whatever condition they came. Some of the Prophet’s detractors came to criticize and ridicule him.

The mosque’s members would be livid at their audacity and threaten to expel them but the blessed Prophet would counsel restraint. Some uncouth characters came and, out of ignorance, would desecrate the mosque.

Yet, still would the Prophet refuse to disbar them but looked at it as an opportunity to educate and instruct. His message to his followers and all believers was that Muslim institutions are to be open, inclusive and non-threatening.

‘Let them come’ was his approach.

Yes, they may be untidy, poorly clothed, ungrateful and abusive, but ‘these are the people in need and that is the role of this institution’ he conveyed by his example.

The Prophet’s mosque was an organic institution – responsive to the needs and times, leading the way, re-configuring itself to meet the ever-changing and growing community and, over and above all, a welcoming place – a sanctuary where those who entered its confines were protected.

In it a people of faith were molded and a new culture evolved. Fast-forward to today’s Muslim institutions.

Most are set up for prayers and teaching children religious tenets only.

There is little dynamic interplay with its surroundings and its attendees and most of these institutions are not in tune with the realities of North American life.

To get a glimpse on how out of sync some institutions are – look at where most of the informal interactions of attendees can take place – in the parking lot or on the sidewalk.

Young and old alike, especially women and young people, meet and have meaningful interactions only outside the building.

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