Dear all Assalamu alaykum I have been watching with a heavy heart the events that have ensued in our community for the past 2 months. Not a day has passed without having a somber moment of tears. In a way, I feel responsible for all of this since it all started with my deferred resignation. It was never my intention to start a battle or hurt anyone’s feelings. Pressure has been mounting over the past few years and when I felt that it was affecting my health, my family and my life, I decided to take the graceful course and step down. Of course the response of the community was overwhelmingly against my decision, and scores of people requested from me to engage the board, and get involved in the process of effecting structural changes that would be fitting with the exponential growth of SALAM. I acquiesced. Over 2 months, the board and I engaged in deep dialogue, went through project management and strategic planning training sessions, and brainstormed different models to change the structure of SALAM’s leadership hierarchy. When we were very close to a resolution, I was prematurely dismissed after I had offered to stay on board for 6 months. Change is a very scary thing and I acknowledge that. It is clear to me however, that real change at SALAM will come at the grave cost of losing relationships and shattering the community. I cannot bear that price. The leadership, board members and founders of SALAM are sincere and God-fearing people who want the best for the community. I decided to preserve our friendship and allow them to do what they think is in the interest of our community without getting engaged in a battle from which no winners will emerge. I’m reminded of a story. Two women each laid claim to a child, and they appeared before a judge. He instructed them to hold the child from each arm and start pulling! One of them eventually let go. The judge concluded that she must be the real mother, since she refused to hurt the child. I feel at this point that the best thing to do is to let go of the child. Because of my desire to push SALAM forward and to make it grow and flourish, things were said about me and my integrity was put to question. While most of what was said was not true, I will not defend myself and I will never attack people I love and respect. I have no hard feelings towards anyone, and my love for everyone was not affected by any of these events. I continue to pray for SALAM, its leadership and our community. Opportunities for Islamic work and service are vast. My promise still stands: I will not leave the Sacramento Area. All the services, programs and activities I and scores of other volunteers have been offering, including Jumaa, will continue, one way or another with the grace of the All-Mighty. Stay tuned for very exciting things to happen to our community inshaa’ Allah.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:18:35 +0000
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