(WASHINGTON D.C. - 11/18/2009) Last week, the Islamic Information Center was one of the first organizations to report on the federal government's announcement  regarding the seizure of 4 religious mosques in the United States. To see the original Information Alert, please click here.

Last night, the Islamic Information Center sponsored a Know Your Rights Conference Call. IIC invited the leaders of the four targeted masjids, as well as the respected leaders and scholars of other masjids, to participate in a discussion with community lawyers and other attorneys from Muslim Advocates (MA), on the legal rights of the masjids and what they can do to protect themselves from a legal perspective. Meeting notes from the conference call are available on IIC's blog by clicking here.

During the conference call, Muslim Advocates Representative Akil Vohra, J.D., announced that MA would be holding a Phone Conference with the prosecutor of the case, and that a Forfeiture Attorney will be present on the call, which will take place tomorrow, Thursday November 19th, 2009.


In general, each masjid has several rights:

• Each center has the right to prepare and defend itself by retaining an accountant and attorney. For centers owned by the Alavi Foundation, this is more complicated and they should speak with the foundation's attorneys to determine their specific situation.
  
• Each center has the right to prove that it has not performed any illegal activities.
• Each American has the right to ask policy makers for better policy in regards to the notion of any possible mosque seizures.
• Community should be made aware that this is a civil case and there is no accusation of illegal activities by the masjids.
• Communities should support their masjids.
• Communities should be aware that the masjids have not been seized at this time, and remain open for all previous activities.
  
• This is not an exhaustive list and each center concerned about Alavi Foundation contributions should speak with an attorney.

It is important to note that the government has acquired the tax records of the Alavi Foundation, and knows  the details of any donations or loans given by the foundation. For example, records indicate that the Alavi Foundation donated to 25 masjids, mosques, and religious centers in 2007. Records from 2008 are still pending.

Accordingly, the community should note that any organization is open to such an investigation.

To help prevent future problems for other masjids, the following recommendations were developed on the phone conference:

• If your masjid is contacted by authorities, please be cooperative and contact an attorney immediately.
• Perform a 3rd Party Financial Audit of the organization as soon as possible.
• Research any outgoing money to other organizations or individuals.
• Research any incoming money from individuals or organizations.
  
• Do research of who you are giving money to, (or taking money from) learn about the organization and their background. Feel free to ask questions of that organization, especially about their legal status.
  
• If an organization has questions about where money is going/coming from it is a good idea to Muslim Advocates by clicking here.
• Maintain strong accounting methods and transparency.
  
• Communities should push for "good governance", transparency, and proper legal leadership at their centers.
• Keep accounting "books" in order.
• Move from "cash based" accounting to "accrual based" accounting.
• Use 3rd party accounting in addition to any internal auditing.
  
• There is no substitute for a good board of directors who are transparent.

Furthermore, many Muslim organizations recommend Muslim Advocates Training - which can help in preventing future such issues.

IIC also discussed the possible grassroots campaigns that can prevent the seizure of the masjids, and how different community members can participate in ensuring the civil and legal rights of the masjids and their constituents. In the coming days the Islamic Information Center will release information on such efforts via email.