The new app from the executive director of the Faith and Education Ministries, Matt Shaklee, is ” Mosque Apps for Christian Schools.” Shaklee says the project is geared towards providing tools “for faith-based schools to use in their digital learning projects.” As a professor of education, Shaklee says creating applications for digital learning is “inexpensive” and that the programs can be created for almost any subject, including History, Geography, Language Arts, Math and Science. The @mosquebocker account he states, “led people to a free app that gave information about how to word against ‘growing traffic congestion’ in various cities.” This particular app gives a graphic example of how mass surveillance has negatively impacted the right to free speech.
Although the app does not promote discrimination or politics, it does give Muslims an idea of how best to voice their opposition to those issues. It’s unfortunate too see more mosques shutting down as a result of government overreaches. The increasing numbers of displaced people and rising crimes in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan are further exacerbating the problem. The number of displaced people and insecurity in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan are leading to rising numbers of displaced people. And with the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, more people are increasingly trying to seek refuge in Muslim-free nations such as Turkey, Iran, and other Muslim nations.
Thus, the need for such mosque applications becomes more pressing, particularly with more displaced and impoverished muslims trying to find refuge in the western world. In a country like the United States, where the values and principles of Islam are not easily embraced, such masjid app would provide a means to express anger and opposition without directly harming one’s religion or one’s country. One might think that in a country with a majority-muslim population, there should be less strain on the system to allow for criticism of religion. Apparently, that would not happen in the US.
There have been increasing instances of vigilantism by Muslims against those who practice their religion in accordance with the teachings of Islam. In a country like the United States, where a large number of immigrants come from Islamic countries, and then freely choose to live anywhere else, it is important to make sure that non-Muslims are able to practice their religion freely. Mosque applications can serve as a vehicle to express those views. But that begs the question, just how do you get an ISLAMIC planning application approved?
That’s one of the challenges that many American mosques face. Although mosques are subject to many legal constraints in the US, they also must compete against far-right groups which may be more willing to use inflammatory methods to promote their cause. For instance, in Wisconsin a man was recently fired from his job for wearing a scarf which resembles the Islamic head scarf, and which some Muslims believe represents modesty. And recently in California a fire bombarded a mosque in California, causing $50 million in damages. The far-right has claimed responsibility for the act. In other words, mosque applications aren’t always free of controversy.
So, what can you do? First, if you’re applying for mosque applications, or to any organization related to Islam, make sure you disclose your actual beliefs when you apply (even if it’s just on your Facebook page). Secondly, make sure you are using a professional, not an amateur, firm to handle your mosque applications and related matters. Far-right groups often have made inflammatory statements against mosques. This is why it is so important to find a qualified and experienced firm handling your mosque applications.
A qualified, experienced firm will ensure that all mosque application paperwork is completed accurately, and that all documentation is signed by the applicant. An anti-moslem lawsuit has been brought against a couple of British firms who had advertised their ” mosque builder” services on Facebook; they had posted inflammatory cartoons about Muhammad, and had created a ” mosque would be built here” website. Their applications were rejected by several UK Muslim community organizations, and the firm was forced to close. Such a case has been used in the United Kingdom to illustrate the potential damage that could result from using a Muslim prayer space for Facebook.
So, how do we fight back? Communicate with local Muslim leaders to discuss the possibility of building a cultural centre, similar to those that exist in more developed countries (such as the United Kingdom) – and provide information about the risks involved in using a mosque for social media. You can also speak out at city council meetings, and local businesses. These types of communities have become quite strong in the US, and there are some powerful Muslim-American lobby groups in DC. If you have the resources, you stand a good chance of convincing local authorities to reject the application of a mosque for social media usage – and you stand a better chance of keeping your own cultural center free from the religious fundamentalism represented by such imams.
