The Ultimate Constitution

The terms of the IAGD Constitution and Bylaws have proven time and again to be completely ineffective for governing the organization and allow the IAGD leadership to enjoy no accountability for their actions—at least in this world.  Fortunately, however, the IAGD leadership incorporated a higher authority into the constitution wherein The Preamble states:  "The Islamic Association of Greater Detroit unequivocally affirms Quran and the Sunnah as its eternal and ultimate constitution."  The Quran and Sunnah as the “ultimate constitution” provide clear guidance regarding the behavior of the IAGD leadership for which the IAGD Constitution is otherwise silent.  To those who claim to be governed by the "Ultimate Constitution,” be careful what you ask for.       

●     Financially benefiting from cash donations that they did not make:  Ghaus Malik and his partisans claimed cash donations that they DID NOT make for a tax benefit that was not theirs to claim, which resulted in their illegally increasing their wealth.  Taking money that is not yours to enrich yourself is the definition of theft.        

○     Under the Ultimate Constitution:  “And (as for) the man who steals and the woman who steals, cut off their hands as a punishment for what they have earned, an exemplary punishment from Allah, and Allah is Mighty. Wise. But whoever repents after his inequity and reforms (himself), then surely Allah will turn to him (mercifully), surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surah al-Mā’ida 5:38-39).  They can keep their hands if they repented, but unfortunately for them, the IRS will not be as forgiving. 

●     Transferring ownership of IAGD property to themselves in secret: On May 4, 2016, four trustees secretly created an organization naming themselves members for life and transferred all IAGD property to this secret organization for one dollar ($1.00).  The four trustees will claim that these records were publicly filed, but did they tell anyone about this transfer besides those who aided and abetted in this scheme?  No.  Did they inform or seek approval from the General Body for this transfer.  No.  Did they inform the IAGD Board of Directors of this transfer?  No.

○     Under the Ultimate Constitution:  "Woe to those that deal in fraud those who when they have to receive by measure from men exact full measure. But when they have to give by measure or weight to men give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account?" (Quran-83: 1-4).  Apparently not.

●     Buying votes to influence the outcome of BOD elections:  This practice was an open secret commonly used to defeat candidates that Ghaus Malik did not control.  Partisans of Ghaus Malik never denied this practice and instead shot back with the unconvincing defense, "Prove it!"  Unfortunately, one of Ghuas Malik's partisans failed to understand that the "Prove it!" defense was intended to place the burden on those who were opposed to the vote buying scheme.  This clever man, who is currently serving on the BOT, helpfully "proved it" when he admitted on the record of actively participating in the vote buying scheme during a BOD meeting in 2016.

○     Under the Ultimate Constitution:   The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) cursed the one who bribes and the one who takes bribe. (Abu Dawoud).

○     There is also the catchall that applies to many of these charges:  "Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us, and whoever cheats us is not one of us." (Saheeh Muslim).

●     Using deception to trick others into entering agreements and breaking those agreements.  After deceiving the insurgent BOD and tricking them into closing the Arbitration in 2016 only to subsequently declare that the insurgent BOD terms expired despite a court-ordered standstill agreement and subsequently entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the insurgent BOD and "Neutral Group" for which Ghaus Malik and his partisans characteristically breached the agreed upon terms of the MOU to which both the insurgent BOD and Neutral Group can attest.

○      Under the Ultimate Constitution:   “Four traits, if found in an individual, then he will be a complete hypocrite (munafiq), and if an individual possesses one of these four, he will have one portion of nifaq: When he is given a trust he breaches it, when he speaks he lies, when he makes an agreement (ahd) he is guilty of treachery and disloyalty (gadar), and when he disputes he is fouled mouth.”  (Sahih al-Bukhari). 

●     Using armed guards to keep youth from entering masjid:  On the day of the ironically named "Unity Dinner" in July 2016 that followed a fraudulently procured truce mentioned above, Ghaus Malik and his partisans hired armed security guards to prevent IAGD youth, who were upset by the many deceptions employed by Ghaus Malik and his partisans, from entering the masjid.  This was particularly concerning because it is likely that the youth were not aware that the security guards were armed.

○     Again, under the Ultimate Constitution:  "Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us, and whoever cheats us is not one of us." (Saheeh Muslim).

●     Continuing to support Ghaus Malik despite the many injustices he orchestrated only a few of which are mentioned above.  Among those to whom this point is directed is our former Imam and current guest Imam who is filling in for his former student and friend, Imam Aly Lela, who was unceremoniously fired for committing the sin of publicly denouncing the second point mentioned above.  Imam Muneer Fareed, to claim no knowledge of the above-mentioned behavior cuts against the person of intelligence we know you to be.  We hope you have a reasonable explanation for openly supporting this paragon of injustice.  As to others, another open secret is that many of Ghaus Malik's supporters mortgaged their dignity in exchange for favors or assistance to further their careers and/or financial interests.  To those, we remind you that the qibla is Mecca, not the corner of Square Lake and Squirrel Rd.  You know who you are and so do we. 

○     Under the Ultimate Constitution: "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted."  (Surat an-Nisa 4:135).  The ignorant souls who shout, “Fitna!” when the injustices described in this document are uttered would do well to read this ayat until they can distinguish between telling the truth and shouting down those who try to tell the truth with their fitna accusation.  Perhaps they will rethink their position when they realize that they sound like Republicans who obstinately refuse to consider impeachment because they pretend to care about unity. 

There is a Special General Body Meeting scheduled for October 27, 2019.  The injustices mentioned above and violations of the Ultimate Constitution will be addressed and those who perpetrated them will at long last be held accountable.  The IAGD leadership is interested in following neither the actual, useless IAGD Constitution nor the “eternal and ultimate constitution.”  It is time to throw out the IAGD Constitution and replace it with one with unequivocal provisions that provide clear guidance based on best practices of well-run organizations.  But if stealing money, misappropriating masjid property, buying votes, breaking agreements and using armed guards against our own youth constitute behavior that you consider acceptable, stay silent.  If these are qualities that you admire in your leaders, stay home and yell at the television about the demagogue who is ruining the country and continue being willfully blind to the demagogue who has ruined your community.