Those among us, who want to do something, stand up and do it. But there is a strong tendency among Muslims to go alone. This is true in many endeavors including Islamic or social work. Instead of joining an existing organization, we want to start one. It has harmful effect on existing organizations, and the chances of success of new organization are also not very good. It is a Loose, Loose situation.

When I started MuslimServ there was no other organization doing work in the name of Islam exclusively within Canada. I went around all the main masjids, trying to find a place for myself in their programs. But unfortunately, there were no programs and my initiative was viewed with suspicion, which is another trait of Masjid bureaucracy. So I started MuslimServ, and al hamdu lillah it is reasonably successful.

Now from time to time I hear from Muslims, some of them our donors, trying to start a similar initiative at some place, for example in a deprived community in GTA. Most have an urge to be hands on. But many will end up in support of Christian organization and many of their efforts are NOT in the name of Islam. The result is dilution of Islamic effort, diminution of light to shine on the name of Islam. Please do not get me wrong, we never distinguish between a needy Muslim and a needy person of any other religion. But we will not work supporting organizations of another faith when an Islamic one is available.

The next question is why do Muslim organizations not accommodate these dynamic individuals? I will answer on behalf of MuslimServ; we do. Our Partnership agreement is designed to highlight these dynamic individuals and their desire to be hands on. We will honor them on our web site, recognize their effort and allow them freedom to be creative. But it must be in the name of Islam, within MuslimServ umbrella. But as yet we had no takers for our Partnership.