Mosque Governance Under Scrutiny: Calls Grow for Reform in BC’s Muslim Community
Alameen
9-23-2025
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The governance of mosques and Muslim institutions in British Columbia is facing an unprecedented crisis, with recent resignations, suspensions, and allegations of intimidation threatening the integrity of one of the community’s most important organizations — the B.C. Muslim Association (BCMA). A series of letters and statements released over the past week paint a troubling picture of internal discord, eroding trust, and a breakdown in democratic processes.
Postponement of Burnaby, Vancouver and Richmond Election
On September 10, the BCMA Election committee announced “postponement” of elections in three of the branches, citing “membership issues that is being corrected.”
The election committee also closed application from new members, as well as renewal for existing members in all three branches, apart from Richmond, renewal of membership deadline for September 13th.
A Disturbing Development at the Local Level
On September 12, Masjid Al Noor in Surrey issued a suspension notice to a community member, banning him from the mosque grounds and warning of “further appropriate action” should he return. While the details behind the decision remain unclear, the move raised concerns about transparency and accountability in how mosque leadership exercises authority over members. The exclusion of individuals from sacred spaces, community members argue, should be handled with the utmost fairness and due process, not with sudden notices. Due to social media activism, the ban was modified to permit the individual for prayer only.
Crisis in Election Oversight
Two days later, the situation escalated when the BCMA Election Committee collectively resigned on September 16. In their resignation letter, the four committee members cited “clear favoritism,” “a troubling lack of transparency,” and “bullying and inappropriate behavior from certain nominees” as reasons for stepping down.
The committee, which has long been responsible for safeguarding democratic elections within BCMA’s branches and chapters, stated bluntly that the environment had become “toxic” and incompatible with their Islamic values. After years of sacrifice, they concluded they could “no longer continue in good conscience” to oversee elections that lacked integrity.
This shock resignation has cast serious doubts over the credibility of the 2025–2027 election process, which had been scheduled with strict nomination procedures.
BCMA’s Official Response
In response, BCMA President Muhammad Asad Gondal issued a statement expressing “shock and surprise” at the resignations, while promising that the Executive Council would convene by September 21 to investigate the allegations. He assured members that the organization remains committed to “transparency, accountability, and fairness,” and pledged that elections would proceed in a fair and timely manner.
Membership Integrity at Risk
Adding to the turmoil, the Membership Committee, chaired by Amro Mousa, submitted its own concerns on September 19. The committee alleged that it had faced direct attempts at interference, intimidation from branch officials, and inappropriate conduct from nominees.
Even more troubling, the committee reported that it did not have exclusive access to the membership portal—raising the possibility that applications could be altered without its knowledge or approval. Such practices, they warned, “risk undermining the integrity and credibility of the membership process.”
The committee reiterated its commitment to impartiality and strict adherence to the BCMA constitution and bylaws, but warned that unless these systemic problems were addressed, the fairness of elections could be permanently compromised.
Investigation Committee
On September 21st, BCMA Executive Council appointed “a three-person ad-hoc investigation committee, independent of both the executive and the council. This committee will engage an external law firm to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegation and to oversee the upcoming elections.” States the BCMA Press Release.
A Community at a Crossroads
The current crisis exposes deeper structural issues within mosque governance. For decades, mosques in British Columbia — including those under BCMA — have been built, funded, and maintained through the collective efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors. These institutions are not the property of a few individuals, but the shared trust of the Muslim community.
Yet, as the recent letters suggest, the absence of proper checks and balances has allowed personal rivalries, favoritism, and intimidation to seep into processes that should remain transparent and inclusive. When elections and membership systems lose credibility, the entire foundation of community governance is shaken.
A Call for Reform
For the Muslim community in B.C., the lesson is clear: mosque governance cannot be left to opaque processes vulnerable to manipulation. To restore trust, several urgent reforms should be considered:
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Independent Oversight: Establish external election monitors or neutral observers to ensure transparency.
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Digital Security: Secure membership portals with independent membership committee control and audit trails by the trustees and investigation committee.
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Code of Conduct: Implement and enforce behavioral standards for nominees and officials to prevent intimidation.
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Community Engagement: Increase grassroots participation in governance processes to prevent concentration of power.
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Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Create impartial Board of Governors panels to mediate disputes before they escalate into bans, suspensions, or resignations.
The community must also remember the spiritual and social mission of its institutions. As the Election Committee reminded in their resignation, these are spaces meant to reflect Islamic values of justice, fairness, and service—not arenas for personal gain or power struggles.
Conclusion
The events of September 2025 serve as a wake-up call. The most prized institutions of the Muslim community — its mosques and associations — are the result of countless volunteer hours and sacrifices across generations. Petty politics or weak governance cannot compromise it.
If the community fails to act decisively, the risk is not only the loss of trust in BCMA, but a deeper disillusionment among younger generations who may turn away from these institutions altogether.
One of the reasons often cited by the youth for refraining from getting involved in mosque administration is what they refer to as, “Uncle Politics.” The senior leadership within our community need to realize that their quest for power is driving our youth away from the very Masajids for countless individuals have sacrificed their blood, sweat and tears to built. The beauty of the mosques are its congregants. Without congregants, they are nothing but empty edifices.
Reform, transparency, and accountability are no longer optional — they are essential for the survival and credibility of mosque governance in British Columbia. As well as, restoring public trust and making it a welcoming place for our youth, where they can take the lead and strengthen our most sacred institutions.
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