The Constitution

The Constitution [Click Here for PDF]

Updated on January 31, 2011

The Constitution of The Muslim Alliance of New York

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We bear witness that there is no lord except Allah, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His messenger.

Prologue

We Muslim-Americans seek to advance the dynamic, vibrant, and essential voice of Muslim youth through the creation of a comprehensive unity and cohesive alliance.

We hope to secure peace, justice, and equality between young people of all faiths by promoting a greater understanding of Muslim youth and Islam in general, creating a network of support and opportunity inclusive of all Muslim youth, and providing logistical and financial sustainability.

With this vision in mind and with the mercy of Allah, we hereby proclaim the establishment of the Muslim Alliance of New York.

Principles & Ethics

We are adherents of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. This alliance will respect, embrace, and enforce Islamic jurisprudence or Shariah law with Allah as the ultimate judge for all of our actions carried under the banner of MANY. In addition, we promote a peaceful atmosphere free of anarchy, animosity, prejudice, discrimination, and violence.

Individuals that are member to this Alliance shall maintain a sense of orderly conduct and discipline. They agree to respect all human beings without discrimination based on religion, race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, and disability. They shall be delegated with responsibilities that they shall execute with the intention to please Allah. They shall perform their tasks to the best of their ability and be willing to take on new responsibilities without question.

Article 1 — Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees shall be established as a body of the Muslim Alliance of New York.

Section 1 — Objectives

As a vital organ to the strength and stability of MANY, it is compulsory that they to enforce, protect, and preserve the constitution of MANY. The integrity, reliability, and security of MANY shall be upheld according to the principles and ethics outlined herein with the responsibility falling upon the Board of Trustees.

The trust that has been granted to the Board of Trustees is subject to the accountability of all members of MANY and shall not be violated under any circumstance for Allah is all Knowing, all-Powerful.

Section 2 — Qualifications

The Board of Trustees shall consist of five, seven, or nine members at any given time. In the event of an inconsistency in the number of members, they may appoint a temporary replacement pertaining to requirements herein until the next Alliance Assembly meeting in which they may approve a permanent replacement.

Eligibility for the Board of Trustees requires that a person had previously joined the Executive Committee, the Alliance Assembly. They are required have graduated from high school and currently attend undergraduate studies including freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, and any other status which constitute undergraduate studies. Their term shall last from their appointment until their graduation date of undergraduate studies.

Section 3 — Responsibilities

They shall create and maintain application forms for nominations to the Executive Board and the Board of Trustees as well as an appeals process. They shall also create and maintain a procedural handbook for the purpose of handling MSA-related affairs including but not limited to the addition, subtraction, maintenance, accountability, and support of MSAs.

All elections called within the jurisdiction of MANY membership and roles include but are not limited to the Executive Board and the Alliance Assembly shall be organized and audited by the Board of Trustees.

Section 4 — Distribution of Power

The Board of Trustees shall be entrusted with the power to propose and vote in amendments to the constitution, add, remove, or audit an MSA(s) or person(s), add and remove organizations associated with MANY, authorize financial support to MSA(s), audit and confirm budget reports produced by the treasury of the Executive Committee, and qualify candidates for application to the Executive Committee and Alliance Assembly.

In addition, the leadership of the Board of Trustees shall be vested within a Chairman position. That person shall be selected on a yearly basis from August 15th to August 14th of the following year. They serve as the representative of the Board of Trustees and all of its affairs to the public and hold all rights granted to a Board of Trustee member.

There shall also be 2 MUNA Youth Representatives who will be appointed by MUNA Youth and serve a role in the Board of Trustees as the liaison for MUNA Youth. These members are subject to the qualifications set forth herein for a Board of Trustees member and holds all rights granted to a Board of Trustees member.

Section 5 — Elections

The Board of Trustees shall confirm all Board of Trustees applicants and members, Executive Committee nominations, and MSAs who wish to join the Alliance Assembly through a majority vote convened privately in order to encourage free debate with public announcement following the next scheduled Alliance Assembly.

Section 6 — Reprehension

All Board of Trustees members are subject to adherence to the Principles and Ethics outlined herein. Violation of the Principles and Ethics by any of the Board of Trustees qualifies reprehension procedures to be summoned by any Board of Trustees member or by the Executive Committee and two Alliance Assembly voting members’ delegates presenting a joint investigation proposal.

In addition, all members are required to attend at least two-thirds of all meetings held within a given term. Absence from two consecutive meetings attended by the Board of Trustees without a written, signed, and dated legitimate excuse results in a probationary period for two Alliance Assembly meetings upon which the said member loses voting rights in the Board of Trustees. If needed, the Board of Trustees may appoint a temporary replacement for the duration of the probationary period.

Article 2 — Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall also be constructed as a body of the Muslim Alliance of New York.

Section 1 — Objectives

As the face and representative of MANY to the greater community and beyond, they shall be responsible for all public relations. They shall serve as the shining example and guiding force for the voice of the Muslim youth.

Section 2 — Roles

The Executive Committee shall have the leadership vested within a President and a cabinet consisting of a Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, Marketing Director, and Human Resources. The President shall be responsible for the function, stability, and integrity of the Executive Committee. All subsequent cabinet roles shall be defined and codified within a handbook updated on a yearly basis.

In addition, there shall be a Board of Trustee Representative with a dual role of Chairman in the Board of Trustees. This member will be selected by the Board of Trustees and is required to participate in all Executive Committee meetings.

There shall also be a MUNA Youth delegate who will serve a role in the Executive Committee as Vice-President. This individual shall be appointed by MUNA Youth and are limited to a student attending High School.

Section 3 — Qualifications

The eligibility requirements for the President of the Executive Committee consist of the following at the time of application:

• Participated in an MSA that is currently member of the Alliance Assembly
• Total grade point average of 85 or 3.0, where applicable
• Currently attending High School as a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
• Cannot have been the President of the Executive Committee for more than two terms

The eligibility requirements for the Cabinet of the Executive Committee consist of the following at the time of application:

• Participated in an MSA that is currently member of the Alliance Assembly
• Total grade point average of 85 or 3.0, where applicable
• Currently attending High School as a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior

All terms run on a yearly basis from August 15th to August 14th of the following year. No more than two members of one High School maybe holding office at any given time.

Section 4 — Responsibilities

They shall help conceive new MSAs, strengthen and refine current MSAs, and come to the aid of struggling and lacking MSAs.

In addition, they shall also be the curator and organizer of Alliance Assembly sessions, conjure new initiatives for the growth and  strengthening of the Muslim youth voice which include but aren’t limited to events, networking, interfaith, academic, career and college  services, activism, public address, and charity including volunteerism, community service, and outreach support groups.

Section 5 — Distribution of Power

They shall be entrusted with the power to propose and vote in amendments, handle the affairs of MSAs including elections, the addition, and removal of MSAs, creating new MSAs, working with authorities in educational, public, private, and political institutions, as well as auditing MSAs. The addition and removal of MSAs to the Alliance Assembly is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

Section 6 — Elections

They shall be responsible for all elections in which MSAs seek individual, unbiased auditing for their own respective schools.

President nominations are provided from the delegates of Alliance Assembly voting members. Cabinet nominations may come from any person participating in an Alliance Assembly voting member. MSAs shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee and confirmed by the Board of Trustees.

Section 7 — Reprehension

All Executive Committee members are subject to adherence to the Principles and Ethics outlined herein. Violation of the Principles and  Ethics by any of the Executive Committee members including the President and Cabinet qualifies for reprehension procedures to be  summoned by the Board of Trustees with a majority vote or by three Alliance Assembly voting members’ delegates submitting a joint  investigation to the Board of Trustees.

If the President is removed, the cabinet will be retained and the Board of Trustees will proceed with nomination of a cabinet member as the President. In addition, the vacant cabinet role shall be replaced upon Executive Committee suggestion and majority confirmation by the Board of Trustees.

Article 3 — Alliance Assembly

The Alliance Assembly shall be recognized as the core of the Muslim Alliance of New York.

Section 1 — Objectives

Muslim Student Associations or MSAs serve as the de facto Muslim youth voice of MANY. With them, MANY is a functional alliance that continues to secure and strengthen the Muslim youth voice through their participation, activism, and activities within their own respective MSAs and within MANY’s activities.

Section 2 — Qualifications

The eligibility requirements for an MSA to join with voting rights consist of the following at the time of application:

• President must have a total grade point average of 85 or 3.0, where applicable
• At least 15 regular members
• Board consisting of 3 roles
• Regular meetings at least once a week
• Require exactly two delegates with each delegate having a total grade point average of 85 or 3.0, where applicable
• Adhere to Principles and Ethics outlined herein
• Provide a suggested donation of $25

The eligibility requirements for an MSA to join with non-voting rights consist of the following at the time of application:

• President must have a total grade point average of 80 or 2.5, where applicable
• At least 5 regular members
• Board consisting of 1 role
• Irregular meetings at least once a month
• Require exactly one delegate with a total grade point average of 80 or 2.5, where applicable
• Adhere to Principles and Ethics outlined herein
• Provide a suggested donation of $5

All MSAs will be considered for participation. Grade point average, membership, board, meetings, and fee requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Executive Committee and subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

Alliance Assembly members may upgrade their non-voting status by applying for upgrade status to the Executive Committee. If they are approved, they will have their status inducted by the next Alliance Assembly.

Section 3 — Privileges

Alliance Assembly members are granted certain rights with their participation in MANY.

They shall be provided support, which include but are not limited to logistical, financial, spiritual, and mental. They may also be offered networking, community service, academics, advising, and election oversight opportunities for their MSA and members.

Section 4 — Distribution of Power

They shall be entrusted with the power to vote in amendments, nominate, and participate in elections for the President and Cabinet of the Executive Committee.

In addition, they may provide suggestions to the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. They may also participate in discussion forums subject to the Executive Committee or Board of Trustees approval.

Section 5 — Elections

They shall apply for membership of their own MSA in the Alliance Assembly to the Executive Committee. The delegates of the Alliance Assembly voting members may vote in the President and the Cabinet. If a delegate is nominated and elected into the Executive Committee, the MSA must produce a delegate immediately or else forfeit the position in the Executive Committee for the said delegate.

Non-voting members may not vote in said elections except for amendment resolutions.

Section 6 — Reprehension

All Alliance Assembly members are subject to adherence to the Principles and Ethics outlined herein. Violation of the Principles and Ethics by any of the Alliance Assembly members qualifies reprehension procedures to be summoned by the Board of Trustees with a majority vote or by the Executive Committee submitting a joint investigation to the Board of Trustees including but not limited to auditing, losing voting status, or losing membership.

Alliance Assembly members who miss two meetings in a term will result in probation status and non-voting status as assigned to voting members. Missing three consecutive meetings results in the Alliance Assembly member to lose membership.

Alliance Assembly members who have lost membership or lost voting rights can re-apply after one session with non-voting rights (and subsequent re-application for voting rights to take into effect in next Alliance Assembly session).

Individual delegates of Alliance Assembly members are subject to removal by the Executive Committee if they fail to uphold the Principles and Ethics herein.

Article 4 — Calendar of Events

A new term shall begin on August 15th with the Executive Committee holding its first meeting.

Alliance Assembly sessions shall be held four times in a term to ensure that all members are updated with relevant and current information regarding MANY activities and pending Muslim youth issues and concerns. The first session shall be held in the 3rd weekend of October. The second session shall be held in the 3rd weekend of January. The third session shall be held in the 3rd weekend of April. The fourth session shall be held in the 2nd weekend of June.

In the 3rd weekend of May, the election process begins with nominations for the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees. In the 4th weekend of May, nominations will have ended and the Board of Trustees will convene for the selection process

In the 1st weekend of June, the Board of Trustees shall finalize their selections and send out notifications to those who have been selected for the ballot. During the fourth Alliance Assembly session, an election shall be held for those selected for the ballot as well as a confirmation for the new Board of Trustees and delegates of Alliance Assembly members. In the 4th weekend of June, the Board of Trustees shall meet with the Executive Committee.

The term shall conclude on August 14th. The new term shall start on August 15th. All dates are subject to change with confirmation by the Executive Committee.

Article 5 — Electoral Process

The procedures are as follows:

President

1. May only come from delegates
2. One nomination per MSA
3. Must adhere to qualifications
4. Must submit an application form

Cabinet

1. May only come from voting schools
2. One nomination per role, per MSA
3. Must adhere to qualifications
4. Must submit an application form

Delegates

1. Two delegates per MSA (voting)
2. One delegate per MSA (non-voting)

Board of Trustees

1. Nominated by Board of Trustees
2. Must submit an application form

MSA

1. Executive Committee registers information (application)
2. Board of Trustees confirms entrance
3. Nomination period is opened
4. Applicants submit all paperwork
5. Nomination period is closed
6. Board of Trustees sort through applications
   1. Select 5 candidates for each position
   2. Confirms Delegates, Board of Trustees, and MSAs
7. Voting day is commenced
   1. Candidate of said role gives speech
   2. Board of Trustee member provides information, background, support, & reasoning
   3. Votes are cast
8. Results calculated by Board of Trustees
   1. Results disseminated to public
   2. Board of Trustees and Executive Board setup meeting date

Elections in MANY are handled by the Board of Trustees. Elections in MSAs may be managed by the Executive Committee. Up to two people per school maybe present on the board. These procedures are subject to the stipulations of the previous articles.

Article 6 — Financials

A treasury shall be erected by the Muslim Alliance of New York. The trust will be managed by the Executive Committee, reviewed by the Board of Trustees, and executed by MUNA Youth. MUNA Youth shall hold a trust fund in context with MANY within their own financials. MANY financials are subject to auditing by MUNA Youth.

Events are to be distinguished into two categories:

• Big events
  • They are deemed to have a budget more than the current capacity of the MANY treasuries.
  • They are to be funded through MUNA Youth.
  • In the event they are funded by both MANY and MUNA Youth, they both share all liabilities and assets in proportion to the financial contribution of each party.
• Small events
  • They are deemed to have a budget within the current capacity of the MANY treasuries.
  • They are to be funded by either MANY or MUNA Youth.

MANY’s treasury should not exceed $1000. In the event that it does, the remaining funds should be transferred to MUNA Youth at the next quarterly meeting unless decidedly spent in which the said costs should be recorded and reported. All funds transferred to MUNA Youth are to be reserved for MANY.

The Executive Committee is responsible for producing a yearly budget report as well as budget reports for each event or activity involving financial matters.

Article 7 — Organizations

An Islamic Organization is a defined as a group of people who strive solely for the sake of Allah and invite others to Islam. Organizations are critical to the success of MANY as they serve as the adult representation for the alliance of the youth. In addition, organizations are a force of guidance and leadership for the alliance.

Section 1 — MUNA Youth

MUNA Youth Position(s)

• Will have role in Board of Trustees and Executive Committee
• Roles are limited to Undergraduate College
• Board of Trustees
  • 2 people delegated to represent
  • Must be undergraduate
  • Position: Board of Trustees Member
• Executive Committee
  • 1 person delegate
  • Must be in high school
  • Allowed in all E.C. meetings
  • Position: Vice-President
• Both appointed by MUNA Youth

MUNA Youth Trusted Power

• Suggestions in “small events” agenda
  • Approved by Board of Trustees confirmation
• Held accountable for financials and agenda changes
  • Required to provide substantial evidence to Board of Trustees
  • Final say in “Big events” agenda OR can vote non-MUNA Youth participation by rejecting finances/raising own finances
• Hold MANY accountable for financials and agenda changes in big and small events
• Adding any organizations requires the Board of Trustees to make minimum 2/3 vote and requires national representation (President or Vice President of said organization) to hand in proposal, and other standards as defined by the Board of Trustees.

Section 2 — Addition

A vote shall be held by the Board of Trustees with Majority vote in each sector in order to add an organization to the Alliance.

Section 3 — Removal

A vote shall be held by the Board of Trustees with Majority vote in each sector in order to add an organization to the Alliance.

Article 8 — Amendments

Amendments help with the flexibility of the Alliance with growth opportunities that requires change as seen fit with all Amendments are subject to the discussion with the Alliance Assembly.

Section 1 — Addition

A vote shall be held by Representatives in Alliance Assembly, Executive Committee, and Board of Trustees with Majority vote in each sector in order to add an amendment.

Section 2 — Removal

A vote shall be held by Representatives in Alliance Assembly, Executive Committee, and Board of Trustees with Majority vote in each sector in order to add an amendment.

Ratification and Declaration of Accord

The ratification of this constitution shall be recognized with 3/4ths of the vote by voting members and non-voting members of the Alliance Assembly, individual Board of Trustees members, and members appointed by MUNA Youth.

Let the ratification stand with 10 of the 10 members of the Alliance Assembly along with the 3 of the 3 present in the Board of  Trustees and 1 of the 1 appointed by MUNA Youth.

The witnesses shall authorize and sign their signature under Allah’s established jurisprudence below.

Signatories

REDACTED

Ratified by unanimous consent on the 23rd day of Muharram in the year 1432 AH/on the 29th day of December in the year 2010.