The good members thathave been part of this scheme express much bitter disappointment that this scheme has to depart under a new direction and leadership within the converts’ development division. We attest in conscious and in paper that this scheme, though not perfect, has brought much benefit to converts’ development as it deeply engages students who attend BCI classes. The relentless commitment brought about by dedicated and committed volunteers, who undergo continuous training, hasbrought aboutvaluable contributions to the organisation’s objectives as a whole. This scheme has shown potential growth amidst challenges that were present along the way. The vision that many among us share has been unfairly taken away without thorough engagement with the many who has been part of this program since its inception a decade ago,and its eventual revival in 2012.

While we leave the above to your independent discretion in reassessing the scheme’s working unit, we wish to assure all that we are not resistant to new implementations that exercise good progress to converts’ development programs. We respect and are in awed with implementations introduced under a new direction that is seemingly promising and harbours greater dynamism within the working scope. However, as much as we would have preferred this scheme to progressively orientate and integrate with new programs (and within a close consultative and collaborative working engagement), rebranding this scheme under a new paradigm in totality alienates the good progression and work that has been built thus far. The clarity on proposed changes has been vague as we speak and while the initial suspension and eventual demise of this scheme during this transition has seen much lost opportunities for the scheme’s participants in fulfilling continuous engagements with beneficiaries (befriendees) under a guided framework.

We urge the new leadership to exercise greater consultation and review on-going programs that would bebeneficial to the cause proper. However, webelieve in strong testimony thatthis scheme has developed a working mechanism in engaging new learners to Islam. This scheme has and can benefit many who are returning to the fold of Islam. This scheme has and can develop a sense of activism in propagating Islam at all spheres and levels over a period of given time. The many who have been under our foldduring thecycle durationshave beenpart of our engagement units that continues on even after our givencycles.Friendship bonds were created and trusts were gained; even among the befriending volunteers. Such camaraderie spirit has work much in eradicating the stereotypical distinction between born muslims and “converts”; an ultimate objective any divisions or organizations should look into as a convert centric institution. An ultimate objective and ethos the Muslim ummah (community) should work on.

We have hadgood opportunities working together and with greater vision, wish for this scheme to be on a higher level given its continuity. In that spirit we would certainlylend oursupportto any evolving programs that would in progressively working order, integrate the Befrienders work unit with other initiatives; thus ensuring a strong growth in volunteer retention and achieving objective proper as laid out by the foundations of this organization.

We therefore humbly request that this scheme receive higher support from both the organisation and division and crucially understand the importance of having this scheme reinstated. We, the Befriending Core Group (BCG) would be happy to meet with senior exco members to discuss this further.

The signatories of this petition has in their own reserved discretion permit their names to be put forth in this petition. While volunteers and beneficiaries alike may have their own thoughts that partially depart from the above content, this petition serves as a unifying support platform to have the Befriending Scheme reinstated; adhering to the agreed working arrangement and scope set forth by this division and organization.

With this petition taking place, BCG would like to remind all volunteers of this scheme to continue lending their volunteering support to other programs run by this division and/or organization.