We, the undersigned musallees (regular attendees) and community members who attend and reside within the precinct of Suburban Islamic Association (also known as Minto Masjid), write to formally raise serious concerns regarding the conduct, governance, and performance of the current executive committee.

The grounds for this petition are outlined below:

1. Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest

There appears to be a significant concentration of family members within the executive, raising concerns regarding transparency, impartiality, and proper governance. Notably:

President & Son-in-law

Vice President, His Daughter (also acting as Secretary) and two nephews (brothers)

Treasurer, His Uncle & Family member

2. Bullying, Assault, and Abuse

There have been multiple instances of executive members engaging in inappropriate behaviour, including verbal abuse and physical assault, without any apparent accountability in accordance with the association’s constitution.

During the month of Ramadan, a community member was allegedly bullied, verbally abused, and physically assaulted within the mosque premises. It is reported that the Treasurer initiated physical contact, and when the individual responded, other executive members became involved and further assaulted him. This incident is of grave concern, particularly given it occurred during a sacred period and within a place of worship.

3. Failure of Duty of Care

Following the above incident, there has been no evidence of any executive member making reasonable efforts to check on the wellbeing of the affected individual, reflecting a concerning lack of duty of care.

4. Arbitrary Termination of Memberships

There are allegations that memberships are being revoked arbitrarily, particularly when individuals raise concerns or question executive decisions, which may be inconsistent with the association’s constitution and principles of natural justice.

5. Irregular Membership Practices

Membership processes appear to lack transparency and compliance with constitutional requirements. It is alleged that: Membership is predominantly granted to family members and associates of the executive; Proper procedures, including submission of forms, payment of fees, and formal approval at meetings, are not consistently followed; Some individuals are listed as members without their knowledge or consent.

6. Failure to Maintain Proper Records

There has been a consistent failure to maintain accurate meeting minutes. Since the appointment of the current executive, minutes have either not been recorded or not been made available. Requests from members to access such records have reportedly been refused.

7. Failure to Provide Audited Financial Statements

The executive has failed to provide audited financial statements to members, raising serious concerns regarding financial transparency, accountability, and compliance with regulatory obligations.

8. Failure to upkeep the Masjid

Money is wasted on Court cost for unnecessary removal of school in the Tens of Thousands. Wasted money on building projects where material is left out in the rain to rot – again, thousands of dollars lost. Wasted money on an elevator that is laying in the rain rusting away, $18000 just for elevator. Not sure if even meets Australian Safety Standards as it is a USED Elevator from China. Potholes all over the car park, Speakers do not work in the ladies’ section, Fire Doors lock are broken, so they chain it up (Fire Hazard). Lights leak water from Ducted Air conditioner. And this list can go on and on.

9. Failure to appoint Imam (leader of community) for over 13. months.

Not even an interim imam was appointed while a permanent imam was sought after.

No action has been taken. No job vacancy posted. No interviews conducted.

An imam Is the foundation and integral part of a mosque and to guide the community, perform, khutbah, naseeha after fard salaahs, teach the youth and young of the community in madressa, have lectures and classes for community.

Perform janazzah and nikkahs for community. Answer community islamic questions.

Even in Ramdaan, our mosque was empty in comparison to other centres in our locality. This was due to No imam to guide the community through the sacred month.

No nightly programs during the last 10 nights where other centres were active and busy due to musalles wanting to increase in worship during that period.

There has also been rolls of carpet bought for downstairs area that has been sitting in the corner of the mosque near the fire exit for over 10 months. Its still sitting in plastic, the exact same way it was delivered.

The men's wudu area smells of mould and sewerage. The green floor covering has mould built up underneath it as it has not been taken outside to be hosed out and the floor mopped.

There has been no announcement to the community of the amount of money collected for fidya and zakaat. Let alone where or organisaztion the money has been donated to.

Weekly jumuah collection and kitchen collection has never been announced of how much is collected each week and which projects its going to.

There has been no afternoon children madressa since shiekh Riyaal left. No interim plan was made till a permanent imam arrives.

Those afternoon madressa students have all left with no place to go.

This is a basic fundamental and conerstone for a mosque and community.

In light of the above concerns, we, the undersigned, formally request that the current executive committee be removed immediately. We further request that an independent interim board be appointed for a period of six to twelve months to conduct a thorough investigation, restore proper governance, and ensure the association returns to full compliance with its constitutional and regulatory obligations.

Yours faithfully,

Shawaan Peck (Principal Petitioner)