First time.

It was Thursday evening and “malam Jumaat” to the Muslims. At the Mosque in between Maghreb and Isyakh, the Imam would conduct the recitation of the surah Yasin, tahlil and the usual doa. Last night, Imam Khairuddin was all alone up front. Normally the Members of the Mosque Committee would sit by him and perhaps assisting him to complete the last portion of the doa. It was not to be, all went missing and I only saw the Acting Treasurer crept in through the back door when the Yasin was read. For the very first time since I patronize the Mosque from 1977 on Malam Jumaat, the Imam was all alone. What happened?

Heard from the Grapevine that JAIS has requested the Nazir to answer within fourteen (14) days the charges that would implicate his position. He has to answer reasons of the pre solat Aidilfitri speech, the Penceramah Ugama without JAIS “tauliah” and the changing of the signatories at Bank Islam. Phew! I am beginning to sweat myself. If that’s true then the Nazir must have reasonable reasons in his pocket to show cause. It was unfortunate that the Nazir did not go through the speech prior delivering and it was drafted by someone else. He was made a scapegoat by someone who wanted to get at someone. Without the “tauliah” - JAIS had already issued guidelines and failing to comply is no excuse. Even a former Mufti was arrested for not having a “tauliah”. Any Driver no matter how competent he is, he must have a driving license. That’s the Rule of Law in Selangor. On the changing of the signatories - within his Committee there is an ex Bank Employee and a currently practice Lawyer. Surely these two can advise him the right and wrong within the law. Misconception is no excuse and reason to breaking the Law.

As we watch the drama develop, about twenty five (25) of us, the frequent Mosque Jemaah formed the Marhaban Group, participant and non participant. Yours truly is a non participant. We meet after Isyakh every Monday and Wednesday. The Group is totally independent from the Mosque administration and politic. It is RM 10 subscription per month to expense for the drinks and snacks when we get together. Once a month we would congregate in a Member’s house to instill siraturahim. We want to bring back the cheerfulness, togetherness and harmony in the Mosque since lost after the Mosque Committee was taken over by PAS. We must have peace of mind when we step in into the Mosque. It should be a place where political ideologies leave behind at the gate and the sole intention facing Allah. The ideology can be picked up when leaving the Mosque gate.

I believe in JUSTICE. If the Nazir had broken the law, let justice takes its course. I had no part contributing to his hiccups and I did not participate during the Mosque Committee election process. Long before, I anticipated, blunder is within the corner.