Chaplaincy and Community Organizers in the MCA

Chaplaincy and community organizing are central to the ILDC network. They include a range of ongoing activities that strengthen individual/family and community assets, including physical, social, organizational and spiritual assets. In fact, the roots of the ILDC chaplaincy system go back to the 1960's MSA-led campaign for better institutional representation on campuses and predominantly African American prison communities demanding the same. ISNA and Mosque Cares formed into endorsing and representatives to help their community win the battle against lack of parity and discrimination.

Now, more than 25 years after the formative years between 1975 and 1978 we are formally creating the Muslim Chaplains Association (now doing business as a pilot ILDC project). Which founders of the ILDC network and leaders of our communities, have a genuine partnership model which is still the heart of the network: leadership development, local imams and chaplains, and local activists working together to strengthen communities and transform lives.

Chaplaincy and community organizing are critical to the success of ILDC organizations. Masjids can be built and services provided, but it is the people who live in community who will make sure that changes last over the long run.
Rather than watching – or waiting for – people from outside a community to come in and "do things" for its members, religious leaders actively take responsibility for the outcome of their community, and recruit others to join in. When leaders work together to improve their community, bonds are built that foster cultural and social understanding. Community leaders also help ensure that strong local partnerships are formed to increase resources and that time and money will not be spent on mismatched programs.

Related Links:

• Abrahamic Leadership Awards – A celebration held every August to honor outstanding leaders from across the country.