To our religious committees...

If your religious committee is looking for donations to start a religious project, don't just say: "Dear sir, we are seeking donations in cash or kind" and that's it. Don't stop at saying: "sayttal lo am rek, nyun heybunj dara" (see what you can afford, we'll take anything), and don't use your sermons to throw shade or to blackmail people's emotions into believing that it's a give or be doomed thing. These vague strategies have become so clichéd for my liking, because knowing what to afford to donate will depend on knowing the project details.

So, I'll rather you do a projection of the expenditure that the project will incur, provide information as to the expected result of your project and the funds you were able to generate on your own, because you too need that divine reward. So fund raising has to start from within; that way, whosoever is going to donate will know the exact funding gap and how much to part with. And a little progress report will also help boost confidences.

I hate to say this but really, look at how planned, ordered and procedural the Christian Council is in their projects, see communities of Muslim minorities in Europe and America, or even the Pipeline Mosque committee amongst the few that are right here under our nose; they are doing so well. But come to mosques like mine that's been under construction since I was fourteen. You'll wonder why we cannot think beyond collecting just marabou prescribed kola nuts, "mburu nanka" (rice pudding) "Kaitee tabakh" (copier paper) and alms in boxes on Fridays, half of which is shared amongst the mosque's front row sitters?

Or is it also biddah (a cursed innovation) to engage in halal (permissible) income generating activities that will spare a particular set of people from giving against their will, and to enable us to allocate modest but consistent allowances to our full-time Imams, so that they'll focus more on ministering our numerous rituals? Now think whatever you want, God knows I am not trying to be condescending here. I just think it's about time we make our religion attractive, and I believe thinking in that line is fundamental to our belief.

As-salamu ʿalaykum!