Dear Jama'at members,

As I mentioned in an email sent to the Jama’at this past Friday, an unfortunate incident took place at our mosque during our Family Day gathering on Sunday, November 16.   Two of our members got involved in a verbal and physical altercation.  In the long history of our Willingboro Jama’at, this was an unprecedented and deeply disturbing event for every eyewitness, particularly young children.  It was also very distressing because the offending party was a local office bearer, Mukhtar Ahmad Cheema sahib, secretary of Tahreek-e-Jadeed .

As you can imagine, this has been a painful trial for every one of us since we are all interconnected and influenced by each other.  This demanded immediate attention and action to discipline the offending party and prevent this from ever occurring again.  After a full investigation and report to Amir sahib, I would like to inform the members of the disciplinary action that we are taking:

1. Mukhtar Ahmad Cheema Sahib has been terminated from his position as Secretary Tahreek-e-Jadeed.
2. Mukhtar Ahmad Cheema Sahib will also offer a public apology in the Masjid.
3. Mukhtar Ahmad Cheema Sahib will not be allowed to lead prayers, call Adhan or Iqamat in the Masjid.

I would like to reiterate and reemphasize our basic understanding and policy regarding our mosques.  According to the best traditions of Islam, a mosque is a House of God, a place of security and a public safe zone for everyone to gather in order to worship God or to attend community activities and public events without fear or threat of any harm, whether verbal, physical or otherwise.  Everyone is expected to honor and uphold the sanctity, security and safety of the mosque at all times as even the slightest breach of this peaceful environment or a single event can drive people away from instead of toward God’s House.  Thus, we will always maintain and enforce a strict ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy regarding any physical attack or verbal abuse, including foul or improper language or vain talk against our honored institution and traditions.  A Muslim, in fact, by definition is one from whose hands and tongue others are safe and secure.  That is the moral and spiritual standard by which we are to carry and conduct ourselves always, especially in God’s House.  Anyone who disregards that standard and engages in offensive behavior will suffer the consequences and be subject to disciplinary action.  We seek Allah’s refuge from that.  ameen
 
In conclusion, I am requesting everyone to kindly pray for the unity and solidarity of the jamaat and for the healing of bodies, minds and hearts affected by this incident.  Please pray that Allah, the Almighty, may cover our faults, remove our deficiencies and bless us with His Noor (light) that will illuminate our hearts and strengthen our souls. Let us send immense Darood on our beloved Prophet (saw) who, by his Sunnah, taught us the fine morals that Imam of the age, Hazrat Massih Mau'ood (as) and our beloved Khalifa expect us to follow. Let us strive to achieve those morals, let us strive to strengthen our bonds of brotherhood. May Allah enable us to do so.  ameen
 
Wassalam,
 
Farooq Ahmad Padder