Boost Social Services
\r\nThe Prophet's Masjid in Madinah was a centre of not just prayers, but of all the social and human services being offered at that time for the whole society, Allah's peace and blessings be upon the Prophet. Hundreds were sheltered and fed in the Masjid before they were able to take care of themselves in the city. The Prophet's treasury would go empty most of the time because of the priority to take care of people, while the structure of the Masjid was so poor that sometimes the call to prayer would be done with the announcement that people should pray at home because the floor of the Masjid had turned into mud.
\r\nHere are some suggestions for Masjids to provide the necessary social services to the community around them. If you are a Masjid leader, these ideas are for you. If you attend a Masjid, you can initiate discussion in your mosque to move forward in this area.
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- Start or support halfway houses\r\n
Hundreds and thousands of prisoners are being released each year without any form of community correctional supervision, although studies show that community supervision combined with some form of rehabilitative program following a prisoner’s release helps reduce the chances of these individuals going back to prison.
\r\nThis is where Masjids can contribute in an extraordinary way. Of course, we know that Malcom X (Malik Shabazz) and H. Rap Brown (Imam Jamil al-Amin) came to Islam through the prison system. Therefore, the Masjids' interest in this area is not only of benefit to humanity, but to the Muslim community as well.
\r\n \r\n - Battered women’s shelter\r\n
The need for battered women's shelters remains high because most women and children who are victims of domestic violence usually have no place to go to escape danger. It is imperative that Masjids establish women's shelters. In fact, many Muslim women have often turned to the Masjid for help in this regard, only to be turned away or told by the Imam to \"be patient\" and to tolerate the violence - as a result endangering them and their children. The Masjid can offer shelter and safety.
\r\nA shelter can be based in a rented house with a few bedrooms. Your Masjid can start one on its own or have a few Masjids start one together. You can sponsor internships for Muslim women in women's shelters to gain an understanding before you start one on your own.
\r\n \r\n - New Muslim support group \r\n
- Open and sustain a free clinic \r\n
- Deposit boxes for food and old clothing \r\n
Often times, the reason new Muslims leave Islam is due to a lack of support from the Muslim community in the face of the challenges they face after conversion. Masjids can help by establishing support groups for new Muslims. These would not only teach new Muslims the basics of the faith, but they would also help them deal with issues like non-Muslim relatives, discrimination and other problems converts face. In addition, they would become like their \"family\", since many converts must deal with parents and siblings who are hostile to Islam or outright reject them for becoming Muslims.
\r\nOffering free medical care to Muslims and non-Muslims in the local community is an excellent way for Masjids to fulfill the obligation of social service. Given that medical care is not only expensive, but sadly, that a number of Americans don't even have health insurance to cover the costs of treatment or tests, a free medical clinic is an ideal social service project.
\r\nAlthough old clothing can be difficult to process, clothing drives are something people love to participate in. So get them involved. Masjids need to place deposit boxes where clean and usable clothing can be collected. These boxes can also become a regular reminder of our obligation to the poor.
\r\nCompiled From:
\r\n \"8 Things Masjids Can Do to Help Boost Social Services\" - Abdul Malik Mujahid