By expanding their focus from maintenance to meaningful community engagement, and by ensuring capable leadership, they can transform local institutions into pillars of support, justice, and unity
Naseer Majeed Lone
Masjids have historically served as more than just places of worship. They were centers of learning, consultation, welfare, and social cohesion. In contemporary times, however, many masjid committees appear confined to managing rituals and maintaining physical infrastructure. This limited scope does not reflect the broader responsibilities that such institutions can and should uphold within the community.
The challenges confronting the Muslim ummah today are complex and evolving. Issues such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and lack of access to basic healthcare demand organized and thoughtful responses. Masjid committees are uniquely positioned to act as catalysts for positive change. Their role should extend beyond prayer arrangements to actively engaging with these pressing social concerns.
One practical step in this direction is community welfare support. Masjids can maintain essential items such as oxygen concentrators, commode chairs, and other medical aids, making them available to those in urgent need. Such initiatives not only provide immediate relief but also embody the spirit of compassion and service that lies at the heart of Islam.
Equally important is collaboration. Committees should work alongside local administration and civil society to organize awareness programs addressing critical issues like drug addiction and mental health. These programs can educate, prevent harm, and guide individuals toward rehabilitation, thereby strengthening the community’s social fabric.
The establishment of Bait-ul-Mal systems is another vital responsibility. A structured and transparent welfare fund can support families during emergencies, assist with medical expenses, and uplift the underprivileged. This institutionalized charity reflects a core Islamic principle: collective responsibility for the welfare of all.
However, for these efforts to succeed, unity must be prioritized. Masjid committees should strive to bring people together rather than allowing personal interests, factionalism, or political motives to create divisions. True leadership lies in fostering harmony and shared purpose—values that carry both worldly and spiritual rewards.
It is also necessary to address a persistent structural concern. In many areas, committee positions are often influenced by political or economic power rather than merit. This has led to the exclusion of capable, educated, and well-mannered individuals—particularly youth—who could contribute meaningfully to community development. There is a clear need to induct educated and experienced persons into these committees to ensure effective governance and progressive thinking.
A related concern emerges from lived experience in many villages. In some cases, the induction of uneducated and ill-mannered individuals into village committees, including Auqaf bodies, has led to unproductive and short-sighted decision-making. Villages that once stood as examples of unity and religious harmony—despite the presence of multiple sects—have begun to experience internal divisions. Such outcomes are not incidental; they are the direct result of poor leadership and disregard for collective welfare.
When responsible voices—educated individuals and youth—are ignored, frustration grows. Many feel marginalized, unable to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of their communities. This sense of suffocation is not isolated to a single locality; it reflects a broader pattern where committees are effectively controlled by individuals lacking the vision, discipline, and responsibility required for such roles. The consequences of this mismanagement are borne by the entire village.
If communities are to preserve their unity and restore a peaceful social environment, there must be a conscious effort to prioritize merit over influence. Accountability mechanisms should be strengthened, and those who consistently make irresponsible decisions should be reconsidered for their positions. The inclusion of educated, experienced, and community-minded individuals is not merely desirable—it is necessary for sustainable progress.
In essence, masjid and village committees must rediscover their broader mission. By expanding their focus from maintenance to meaningful community engagement, and by ensuring capable leadership, they can transform local institutions into pillars of support, justice, and unity—true reflections of the values they are meant to uphold.
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