New Shura Council Nominations

MAC Executive Committee would like to draw attention of all members of the community that the current Shura Council Term ends on Thursday 15^th of May 2008.

We invite all members to nominate candidates for the new Shura Council Elections that will be held on Sunday 18^th of May 2008.

Four Shura Council members will be elected. Once that has been done, the new Shura Council members and the Executive Committee will meet and appoint one of the four new Shura Council members as Chairman of Shura Council. The Chairman of Shura Council will become the new Imam until a fully qualified Imam is found or when the new Shura Council term ends, which ever comes first.

Nominations for the new Shura Council can be put forward from Friday 18^th April 2008. Completed nomination forms should be given to MAC Secretary or posted to the following address: Secretary, Muslim Association Canterbury, 101 Deans Avenue, Riccarton, Christchurch.  Completed forms should be received no later than 6:00 pm on Thursday 15^th of May 2008.

Nomination Forms can be obtained from the MAC office from MAC Secretary.

According to the Constitution of The Muslim Association of Canterbury:

-          Nominated individuals should meet the following qualifications:

o       Be a Registered Member of MAC.

o       Be known for his Islamic manners in social and business dealings.

o       Be a daily attendee of congregation prayer at Masjid Al-Nur.

o       Be knowledgeable in Islam and have the interest to acquire more knowledge.

o       Have the proper knowledge and experience to perform his duties.

o       All members of Shura Council shall be men.

-          Responsibilities of Shura Council:

o       Shall be responsible for attending Executive Committee meetings and rendering consultancy advice during decision making.

o       Shall supervise the use of the properties of MAC.

o       Participate in raising funds for the maintenance, renovation and expansion of Masjid Al-Nur and other real estate properties.

o       Conduct the election process for the Executive Committee in cooperation with the Secretary and the Social Affair Secretary.

o       Participate as a Judiciary Panel during judiciary procedure.

-          Term of Office:

o       Shura Council members’ term in office is three years and is renewable.

Shura Council Election Details

Date: Sunday, 18^th of May 2008.

Time: 10:00am – 6:30pm.

Who can Vote? Only Registered Members of MAC have the right to vote. A Completed ‘MAC 2008 Registered Members Application Form’ should be received by MAC Social Secretary by 6:30pm on Sunday 11th of May 2008.

Deadline for nominations: Shura Council Nomination Forms should be received by the MAC Secretary no later that 6:00pm on Thursday 15th of May 2008. Any applications after that time will not be accepted.

If 4 or less candidates: If there are four eligible candidates or less, the candidates will automatically become the next Shura Council and will be announced on Friday  16th of May 2008 after Friday prayers.

Announcement of candidates: The Election Committee will verify all eligible candidates for the Shura Council Elections. Candidates will be announced on Friday 16th of May 2008 after Friday prayers, and posted on the Mosque notice board.

Election day: On election day, Sunday the 18th of May 2008, voting will be opened from 10:00am until 6:30pm under the supervision of the MAC Executive team and Election Committee. Members will be informed of voting rules closer to the time.  

Counting of votes: The Election Committee will open the locked voting box after 6:30pm on Sunday18th of May 2008 and votes will be counted in the main prayer hall of Al-Nur Mosque under the supervision of the MAC Executive team and observation of members of the community. All members are encouraged to attend at this time.

Announcement of New Shura Council members: Newly elected Shura Council members based on the election outcomes will be announced on Friday 23rd of May, 2008 after Friday Prayers.