Sunday, November 30, 2008

MOSQUE CENSUS Has Many Flaws

Below is the Masjid (Mosque) Census Study form currently being sponsored by CAIR, ISNA, MANA, etc... Interns/volunteers are routinely paid $10.00 per each one they conduct. Some have reported to me the 'Mosque Study" is a joke at best. Many of the Imams or leaders at mosque do not want to speak with CAIR. Many give only partial information, and the interns rush through them because they do not take them seriously. For instance in the last few months CAIR has conducted only a handful. When the mosque study is released there is little doubt it will be called a success by CAIR, MANA, and ISNA. Many Imams are very critical of CAIR. The mosque study is in my opinion just another fraud by these organizations.

U.S. Masjid Census 2008
Code: _____
CAIR, ISNA, Imam W. Deen Mohammed (Mosque Cares), Imam Siraj Wahhaj (MANA) and many other Muslim leaders and organizations are sponsoring a census of all Masjids in America. The ultimate purpose of this historic study is to generate accurate figures on the American Muslim community. This questionnaire can be completed by the leader of your masjid, a staff member or any well-informed member. Your answers are totally confidential. This census form can be completed online at http://www.masjidcensus.org using the code number on the top of this page. You can also fill out the survey and mail it to CAIR, 627 New Jersey, Washington, DC 12345.

Name of your masjid _____________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________ City __________________ State _____ Zip _____

Your name____________________________ Position at masjid___________Phone __________

In what year was your masjid organization founded? (Please estimate if you are not sure) ______________________

At a typical Jum’ah Prayer, what is the total attendance—including men, women and children? _____________________

Of the total attendance at Jum’ah Prayer, how many are
a. Men ________ b. Women ________ c. Children ________

What is the language or languages used for the main message of the Jum’ah Khutbah? (Mark more than one if necessary)
1 English
2 Arabic
3 Urdu
4 Other _____________________

What is the ethnic breakdown of the regular participants in your masjid activities such as Jum’ah Prayer and Sunday activities? (Give percentages for each; make sure the percentages equal 100%)
1 South Asian (Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Afghani) ________
2 African American ________
3 Arab ________
4 African (sub-Saharan) ________
5 Albanian ________
6 Bosnian ________
7 Caribbean ________
8 Hispanic/Latino ________
9 Southeast Asian (Malaysian, Indonesian, Philippine) ________
10 Turkish ________
11 White American ________
12 Other ____________________ ________
13 Other ____________________ ________

TOTAL 100%
Over…Questionnaire continues on the back
Approximately how many Muslims are associated in any way with the religious life of your masjid? Please include adults and children, as well as both regular and irregular participants. ________________________

Was your present masjid
1 Built by the Muslim community
2 Purchased
3 Rented
4 A room or musallah provided by a university or business
5 Other (please explain) ___________________________

For the daily salah, do women make salah behind a curtain, partition or in another room?
1 Yes 2 No

Is the Imam of the masjid
1 Full-time paid
2 Part-time paid
3 Volunteer
4 Temporary/interim
5 Don’t have an Imam

How many paid staff positions do you have in your masjid—counting your Imam but not counting the staff of your full-time Islamic school, if you have one?
How many full-time paid ________
How many part-time paid ________

On your governing board, do you have any
Young adults (18-30) 1 Yes 2 No
Women 1 Yes 2 No

During the past 12 months, has your masjid participated in or sponsored any of the following programs or activities?
Interfaith program or activity 1 Yes 2 No
Open house for the public to visit the masjid 1 Yes 2 No
Voter registration 1 Yes 2 No
Politician or political candidate speaking at the masjid 1 Yes 2 No
Youth group 1 Yes 2 No
Women’s group 1 Yes 2 No

13. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Neutral
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Not sure
a. Muslims should participate in
the political process 1 2 3 4 5

b. Muslims should be involved in community
projects that help Muslims and non-Muslims 1 2 3 4 5

14. Do you consider your masjid Sunni or Shi’ite.
1 Sunni 2 Shi’ite 3 Other __________________

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