How is Islam funded?

[Nerfherder]

Is there a Muslim population in Midrand large enough to use that centre properly?

Well that is a leading question... While I think that there are a lot of Muslims in the area I think the main reason behind the building was to build a community.

[Haldex]

I've learnt that Islam promotes humility. The priests serve god and don't need fancy material goods, they are funded by the generosity of their brotherhood, enough to look after their family.

The Saudis fund the big mosques around the world, apparently the Muslim people frown upon the big fancy mosques.

Running costs are due to donations.

The priests have to know the holy book by heart, I was once told that one in twenty Muslims know it by heart, they range from all walks of life from rich to poor. The priest who come from Saudi Arabia are the more highly ranked I think.

[Haldex]

Well that is a leading question... While I think that there are a lot of Muslims in the area I think the main reason behind the building was to build a community.

The newspapers say it was a private individual who wanted to build a Turkish mosque with Turkish architecture in Africa and the southern hemisphere. Not to build a community but a by product seems to be the community which would obviously draw closer to the place of worship.

[Spizz]

I've learnt that Islam promotes humility. The priests serve god and don't need fancy material goods, they are funded by the generosity of their brotherhood, enough to look after their family.

Well here in Senegal with an 80% population, most of the street kids beg for their Marabouts

I guess it's easier to send kids out to beg than get a job. God must be real pleased.

[murraybiscuit]

"Islam" is not a club that recieved funds from those that sign up.

Thanks. Your post provided a lot of useful insight.
Not having been raised in the Islamic faith, it's hard to distinguish between culture, religion, politics and commercial interest, especially as these differ from country to country.
You sounded upset in your post. Don't be, we're here to learn. Ignore the trolls.

[RazedInBlack]

Unlike to Christianity, where certain communities are required to contribute 10% of their salary to the upkeep of the church, in Islam, financially able Muslims are simply required to 2.5% of their savings, known as zakaat to the poor.

Firstly, unlike the Catholic Church, Islam rejects the notion of a clergy. Islam also rejects the institutional monarchy, secondly, these oil rich countries are run by amongst the most corrupt people who treat women as lesser equals.

So its a competition then. Christianity vs Islam!

[Mineer]

So its a competition then. Christianity vs Islam!

this should be fun

Could you explain how you came to this conclusion

[eehellfire]

Just because the majority of people in the oil rich countries you have visited purport to Muslim, does not necessarily mean these nations, as you put it, are Islamic. Firstly, unlike the Catholic Church, Islam rejects the notion of a clergy.

Yeah - that doesn't ring true when there are paid imams and other mosque officials across the world

Islam also rejects the institutional monarchy, secondly, these oil rich countries are run by amongst the most corrupt people who treat women as lesser equals.

Institutional monarchy like say... the caliphate?

[RazedInBlack]

this should be fun

Could you explain how you came to this conclusion

Perhaps the wrong word to use. It seems like a "My god is better that your god" type thing going on here.

[Mineer]

Yeah - that doesn't ring true when there are paid imams and other mosque officials across the world


Institutional monarchy like say... the caliphate?

Sunni Islam stipulates that the head of state, the caliph, should be selected by Shura – elected by Muslims or their representatives. i.e. democratically elected by the people.

Shia Islam believe the caliph should be an imam chosen by God from the Ahl al-Bayt (Muhammad's purified progeny) i.e. a monarchy

90% of Muslims are Sunni and this is what z@ng3tsu was referring to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clergy#Islam

more info

[R/SGT]

Does the fact that the majority of these constructions are financed by the Saudis (Wahhabi) concern the Sunni and Shia believers?

[moosag]

It does to the people who know. The mere fact that there is a Monarchy at the head of the most important Islamic State is already a massive fail! Problem is the fact that the majority of Muslims don't know the history behind the power struggles during the course of Islamic History which has led us to this point.

Today's so called Scholars focus on the basics and the how to but never delve any further to educate the masses allowing them to think and make up their own mind.

[Geriatrix]

It does to the people who know. The mere fact that there is a Monarchy at the head of the most important Islamic State is already a massive fail! Problem is the fact that the majority of Muslims don't know the history behind the power struggles during the course of Islamic History which has led us to this point.

Today's so called Scholars focus on the basics and the how to but never delve any further to educate the masses allowing them to think and make up their own mind.

So is someone using the internet to educate them now?

[eehellfire]

So is someone using the internet to educate them now?

yip.
Media Review Network

[Mineer]

Does the fact that the majority of these constructions are financed by the Saudis (Wahhabi) concern the Sunni and Shia believers?

Question to the muslims on this site do they know of any Wahhabi financed mosque in South Africa google search turns up nothing, and I am not aware of any Wahhabi mosques in Cape Town. also I Have been all over South Africa mostly thru my youth but never took note of a Wahhabi specific mosque tho it was pointed out to me esp in JHB that we now going to a mosque Hanafi mosque and they pray slightly different to us shafi's, but there is no problem between us and them both are sunni.