the letter that led to the unravelling

October 30, 2003

Monem Salam
Chair
MYNA Board of Advisors

Dear Br. Monem:

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh! I pray that this letter reaches you in the best of Islamic spirits during this blessed month of Ramadan. It was a pleasure speaking with you Tuesday night during the Executive Council Conference Call. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate some of the issues finalized as well as their implications on how to proceed with MYNA activities. This letter does not mean that at a future date that these issues cannot be re-examined to make changes but simply seeks to state the position of the Majlis and Executive Council at the present time.

The following issues were reiterated at the Executive Council meeting:
MYNA is a program of ISNA. It will be introduced and identified as an integral program of ISNA. MYNA does not have a separate entity status like the MSA.
The MYNA Board of Advisors will be responsible for the creation of an action plan for MYNA. This would include designing the kind of programming MYNA should conduct as well as the content of those programs. The Board of Advisors will do this by working with the ISNA Youth Coordinator as well as the youth leadership. The Board’s major role is to facilitate the youth leadership.
MYNA will not incorporate as a separate non-for-profit corporation and will remain a program of ISNA.
MYNA, like other ISNA programs and departments, must follow all procedures and regulations established for HQ operation.
All MYNA funds should be consolidated at ISNA Accounting.
The Youth Coordinator will serve as the staff resource for MYNA.
The Majlis Ash-Shura committee appointed in the April 2003 meeting that consists of Kareem Irfan, Bassam Osman, Monem Salam and Sayyid M. Syeed will look at the relationship between MYNA and ISNA and make recommendations for any changes in this relationship. (Page 8 of Majlis Ash-Shura Meeting Minutes)
MYNA Board of Advisors should provide regular information about its activities to the Majlis Ash-Shura and Executive Council through the Youth Coordinator.


Some examples of how programs of ISNA operate are as follows:
MYNA will follow the ISNA Budget and Finance Committee regulations for receipt and disbursements. All mailings, event coordination and implementation will occur through the Youth Coordinator at ISNA HQ.
MYNA Board of Advisors and Youth Coordinator should submit a budget for the months of November – December 2003 by November 4, 2003, to the Budget and Finance Committee.
MYNA Board of Advisors and Youth Coordinator should submit a budget and action plan for 2004 to the Budget and Finance Committee by December 1, 2003.
All incoming and out-going mailings of MYNA should be centralized through ISNA HQ, the current MYNA 1-800 number should be approved by the Budget and Finance Committee and redirected to ISNA HQ’s Youth Coordinator.
Current MYNA letterhead should incorporate that it is a program of ISNA.

At various stages over the next few months, questions may arise about specific procedures for ISNA HQ which maybe addressed with the help of the Youth Coordinator.

As young Muslim leaders and the past MYNA leadership you are the right people to make sure that MYNA moves forward in the right direction. Your leadership and hard work will result in a stronger Muslim youth and a brighter future for Muslim Americans. Our focus as leaders should remain on the long-term even though in the short-term we will be faced with many challenges. May Allah (swt) bless you and your committee for all their hard work and dedication.

Jazak Allahu khayran!
Shaikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah
President

CC:
Dr Sayyid M. Syeed, Secretary General
Dr Syed Imtiaz Ahmad, Chair, Budget & Finance Committee
Br. Rizwan Jaka, Strategic Planning Youth Subcommittee