28/09/2025
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,
We write on behalf of the members of the Bilal Mosque AICC community to express our deep disappointment, serious concerns, and clear demands regarding the recent departure of our imam, Sheikh Ahmed Rayan.
Sheikh Ahmed Rayan and his team have served Bilal Masjid faithfully for many years. Under his stewardship the masjid ran smoothly, programs (including Quran classes) operated consistently. He is deeply respected by community members of all ages from the youngest students to our elders. Since his departure the community has become divided, attendance at prayers has noticeably declined, and the sense of unity and trust which once defined our congregation has been severely damaged. This is unacceptable to the wider Bilal Masjid community. The masjid exists to serve the community. Decisions that affect the spiritual leadership and operations of the masjid must reflect the will and welfare of the community it serves.
For this reason, we respectfully urge you to seriously consider the following requests on behalf of the community:
• The reinstatement of Sheikh Ahmed Rayan to his position as Imam of Bilal Masjid, or, at minimum, a written confirmation that he will be reinstated as part of a formal resolution.
• Management must immediately reconvene on the masjid grounds to enter into good faith negotiations with community representatives with the objective of reinstating Sheikh Ahmed Rayan.
• We request that these on site negotiations take place as soon as possible so that the reputation that this mosque has built does not get tarnished in the coming weeks or months.
• Management must commit to transparent processes going forward for any decisions affecting leadership, and to include elected community representation in those processes.
We emphasise that this is not a matter of individual preference but of the wellbeing of the entire Bilal Masjid community, the spiritual welfare of children attending Quran classes, the dignity of elders, the cohesion of families, and ongoing community services. Sheikh Ahmed Rayan’s long service and the evident drop in community engagement since his removal demonstrate the gravity of this situation.
Please treat this letter as a formal demand. If no satisfactory response or corrective action is received and if management fails to call for the requested negotiations, or if our demands are not implemented, the community will be forced to pursue further collective action to protect the interests of the Bilal Masjid community. Such action will be peaceful and lawful but may include organised public demonstrations, withdrawal of volunteer services and community support, and pursuing any other lawful remedies available to restore the masjid’s unity and proper governance.
We remain hopeful that management will act responsibly, restore confidence, and work with the community to bring back Sheikh Ahmed Rayan so Bilal Masjid can return to the unity and vibrancy it previously enjoyed.
Respectfully,
On behalf of the community members of Bilal Masjid
