NOTE: The deadline for the nominations for the Masjid Awards has been extended until Sunday 21 July 2019, in-sha-Allah. The notice here below has been republished for convenience.

 

The Masjid, where souls are touched and hearts unite. A place of worship, a place of peace, a place of reflection.

 

We learn from a Hadith that there is no piece of earth more beloved to Allah than a Masjid.

 

Abu Huraira R.A. reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The most beloved of places to Allah are the Masaajid…” (Muslim)

 

With one of the most homogenous Muslim communities on the planet, a Masjid in South Africa has multiple roles to fulfill. Just like any other institute, organization or establishment, the foundation of its success depends on strategies, efforts and role players.

 

After considering the importance of a Masjid in a community, Radio Islam International realized the need to recognize and acknowledge excellence. Subsequently, in conjunction with the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa and the Beacon Masjid Awards in the UK, the Radio Islam Masjid Awards was launched and is now set to take place on 24 August 2019 in Johannesburg.

 

Radio Islam encourages Masaajid from around the country to participate in this event and use it as a means of uniting the community.

 

Categories

1. Best Managed Masjid

In this category, the leadership and management of the Masjid is looked at. Here Masaajid will be judged on competence and efficiency in the management of events, programs and other services. Other aspects that will be looked at includes the Masjid working with other communities, dealing with complaints, sharing their expertise and the level of integrity and approachability in running the Masjid.

Masaajid can use the following points (all or some) as a guideline when submitting:

1. Legal compliance
2. Upkeep & maintenance
3. Safety and security
4. General utility of the Masjid
5. Management’s community engagement
6. Accessibility to management
7. Programs conducted at the Masjid
8. Services provided

 

2. Best Centre for Educational Projects

Here, a Masjid’s educational projects are looked at. It can either be run from inside the Masjid or run by members of the Masjid at another location. Masaajid will be judged on their efforts to develop and maintain a learning environment for children and adults. Additionally, what will also be looked at is the classroom environment, the teacher-pupil ratio and how staff are supported with learning opportunities and resources to assist them in imparting knowledge.

This category focuses on the following:

1. Adult classes
2. Hifz classes
3. Maktab
4. Other educational programs managed by the Masjid committee

 

3. Most Inclusive Activity

In this category, judges will be looking at programs that Masjid leaders or members have developed. These can be Dawah programs for Muslims and non-Muslims, programmes for women, children and the elderly that supports their intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs and charity projects that empowers under privileged communities or the under privileged in the area. Masjid open days, Masjid Iftaars for non-Muslims and Islamic awareness events are also included in this category.

This category focuses on the following

1. Da’wa activities
2. Outreach to non-Muslims
3. Programs for women
4. Programs for the elderly
5. Charitable/Empowerment programs

 

4. Most Impactful Imam

Here judges will be looking at an Imam that has made a positive impact on the Masjid and the broader community.

Judges will be looking at the following:

1. Providing impactful leadership to the community
2. Empowering the community
3. Providing counselling services
4. Initiating community based projects
5. Visiting the sick/bereaved
6. Educating the community
7. Visiting the prisons
8. Interfaith programs
9. Going beyond the call of duty

N.B. The above category is linked to a Ramadaan tribute. Listeners/Participants are asked to write a tribute about their Imaam or Muazzin and it will be read out on air. The winners will then be announced on the night of the awards. Click Here for more details.

 

5. Most Punctual and Committed Muazzin

Judges will be looking for individuals who makes a difference in their communities. Besides giving the Azaan, the ideal candidate should be one that interacts with the Musallees, enjoys a cordial relationship with them and goes beyond the call of duty to make a difference.

Judges will be looking at the following qualities in a Muazzin :

1. Punctual in giving Azaan
2. Enjoys the confidence of the community
3. Goes beyond the call of duty
4. Interacts with the community
5. Absence is almost always felt

N.B. The above category is linked to a Ramadaan tribute. Listeners/Participants are asked to write a tribute about their Imaam or Muazzin and it will be read out on air. The winners will then be announced on the night of the awards. Click Here for more details.

 

6.  Best Youth Service

Here judges will look at Masaajid that have developed programs or facilities for the youth in order to equip them with the mindset and spirituality that is needed in the modern age. Testaments from youth that use the services or facilities will be looked at.

 

7. Most Innovative Service

In this category, judges will look at Masaajid which develop and sustain something unique or innovative that supports the worshippers or the wider community. The innovation may be structural, financial, educational, spiritual or environmental. It should be a concept that is unique, groundbreaking and a model for other Masaajid to consider.

 

8. Lifetime Achievement Award

The judges will be looking at a person who has been involved in the running of a Masjid for a long period of time, who is either still involved, or has retired. The judges would also be happy to consider a posthumous award. This person/s (more than one award could be given) needs to have made an indelible mark on the Masjid – either in service to the community, or in management and, ideally, should be one whose work and service is appreciated by the community. The judges would like this person to have been a strong inspiration to others.  Imaams, Muazzins, board members and all other role players in a Masjid will be considered for this award.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

What to Submit?

Categories 4 and 5 are linked to a Ramadaan tribute. Click here for details.

For the remaining categories:

Each submission consists of three parts – a written submission, audio/visual submission and contactable references.

Written Submission

Each submission must have a written motivation of 500 -1000 words.

Your written motivation is your opportunity to “convince” the panel of judges. Make sure that your written motivation is tailored to the category criteria and ensure that, if you submit complimentary audio/visual material, the written motivation and your audio/visual material, complement one another.

Ensure that you submit useful background information. Judges may have no idea how your Masjid/project affects the community, who is a particular project aimed at and why was it done the way it was done – don’t be afraid to tell them. Give them context so that they will understand the objectives.

Audio/Visual Submission (Optional)

Audios and visuals can play a great role in making your submission stand out. There is no set rule for what has to be submitted. You should look at your written submission and decide what audios and visual will complement it best. This can include, but is not restricted to:

• A recording or the Azaan or a part of the Azaan
• A short clip of a Masjid programme
• Oral testimonials from members of the community
• Posters or pamphlets for Masjid events and programmes
• Images of the Masjid or Madressa
• Short videos of Masjid events or programme

Recordings and videos should be limited to a maximum of three minutes each.

There is no limit to the amount of material that you may submit however, judges will not consider material that does not compliment your written submission.

Contactable References

Each submission should include the contact details of two members from the community that can testify and verify the details in the submission. The names of the two individuals should be typed out on a word document together with their current professions and their phone numbers.

Besides the two contactable references, Radio Islam holds the right to contact any other member of the community.

How to Submit

All submissions should be sent to [email protected]

The name of the category that you are submitting in should be mentioned in the subject line.

The written motivation, audio/visual material and the contactable references should all be attached to the email.

A Masjid may enter in more than one category. In this case, there should be a separate submission made for each category.

Any member from the community may submit an entry.

Announcement of Winners

The Radio Islam Masjid Awards event will take place on Saturday 24 August 2019. Prior to the event, a list of nominees will be released. The winner of each category will be officially announced at the event.

To subscribe for updates, for partnership and sponsorship opportunities and other general queries, email [email protected] and follow the hashtag #RIMasjidAwards on social media.