Future Ready Community Organisations
Future proofing community leaders
The rapid pace of change today means the future is here, and the new generation is immersed in a digital world teeming with unfiltered information. Current community organization systems must be re-evaluated and upgraded to align resources, skills, and knowledge with the demands of the future. Many organizations are still led by their founding members, often resistant to new ideas and slow to adapt. This lack of willingness to embrace change stifles the voice of future generations, as these organizations often prioritize familial ties over merit and societal growth.
The so-called central working committees, which hold voting power, are restricted, limiting opportunities for community members to voice concerns or make suggestions. It is crucial to examine and revamp these organizational structures and policies to ensure they are equipped to handle future challenges. This includes safeguarding the next generation while preserving core values, beliefs, and culture.
Community organizations that collect funds during weekly services, Ramadan, or other fundraising events should implement a new framework to address these pressing issues. The aim should be to foster inclusivity, adaptability, and responsiveness to community needs.
- Monthly Open day for feedback and suggestions.
- A suitable term for committees
- Miniumu Qualification and a suitable representation community and background
- Periodical reporting
- Compulsory community and Youth projects on top of the spiritual activities
By reimagining community organizations with these principles, they can become truly future-ready, providing robust support for our evolving society while nurturing cultural and community essence.
Research Foundation for Progressive Society
Community Centres and Mosques need a new approach.
When the first generation of Muslims arrived in the UK, they established mosques to provide a place to pray in congregation and build communities. Their work has been commendable. However, as generations have passed, the needs of the community have changed. They have established beautiful mosque buildings, but the community is now larger, and its second and third generations have well integrated into local cultures to build a better future.
To maintain their identity and protect their core values, community leaders need to develop systems and strategies. This includes providing cultural education, cultural awareness programmes, and transferring the historical knowledge to the community. These systems can be standardised as there aren’t major differences between different communities and various ethnic groups.
Today, we have seen that young people are affected by various social issues, such as teenagers having relationships before lawfully becoming wedded, addicted to drugs, addicted to computer games, identity crises, and disconnect with their parents’ culture, and the local culture. These issues could affect the very fabric of our communities and families. Therefore, there is no doubt the primary objective of the current leaders is to address these fundamental issues we are facing today, which is beyond these centres have been focusing in the past.
Community organisations and mosques have a much bigger responsibility than just providing a place to pray five times a day, Jumma prayers, and facilitating during the month of Ramadan. As stated above, the primary objective has changed with time. We need to develop programmes and provide platforms that connect with young people and help them to lead the future at religious, community and wider society levels. If we don’t focus on this well enough, there won’t be a future generation to carry on the legacy of our community.
As we all aspire to send our children to the best schools and best universities, we also share a responsibility to ensure that community organisations and mosques have the best talents and resources to provide the necessary services to meet the current needs, which are beyond what has been done by previous generations. Sadly, many Mosques and organisations are currently preoccupied with preserving their personal legacies and friendships, often with narrow-mindedness. People are reluctant to let go of their egos and positions. This culture must change, and new thinking and strategic approaches must be implemented over the next ten to twenty years to ensure that the next generation will protect our core values, culture, and beliefs while integrating into mainstream society to provide service to humanity. CRCD strongly urges all community leaders to seriously develop and refine their strategy, planning, and policies to ensure they are designed to address the needs of the coming decades.