OMA CONSTITUTION

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SECTION FOUR: MEMBERSHIP

 

In keeping with the aims and objects of the Association, the OMA shall have two types of membership.  They are (a) Full Members (b) Associate Members.

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Full Members shall be Muslims who:

1. Believe in the religion of Islam, i.e., in all articles of basic Islamic belief and practice, particularly, in the Oneness of ALLAH (GOD) and in the absolute and unqualified finality of Prophethood of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as the last of all the Prophets, follow the Commandments of ALLAH (GOD) and the ways of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and all his companions, respect and follow the sources of Islamic law starting by 1) the Qur’an, 2) the Sunnah through its authentic sources, mainly the references of  the scholars Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Termethi, Dawood, and the like, 3) The agreement of the Companions of Prophet Mohammad peace be upon him, 4)  respect, acknowledge and follow the famous school of Islamic law/fiqh (madthhab) mainly those of the scholars Sahfe’e, Hanafi, Hanbal, and Malik.

2. Are New Zealand Citizens, New Zealand Permanent Residents or Overseas Students (including families), currently residing in the Otago District,

3. Paid the annual membership fees, and

4. Agree to abide by the constitution.

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Associate Members shall be non-Muslims residing in the Otago District enrolled by the OMA Shura Council, or any OMA branch, either on its own nomination or on the nomination of at least two voting members of the OMA, provided that the Associate has given his/her consent in writing to be so nominated.

 

The OMA Shura Council, or any OMA branch, have the right to refuse a nomination for Associate membership or decide on termination of Associate membership.

 

Associate members shall pay no membership fee, any contribution made voluntarily by them in cash/kind shall be accepted as a donation and not a subscription.

 

Irrespective of the date when a new Full or Associate Member is enrolled within a year, such membership will remain in force until the following Annual General Meeting (AGM).

 

Full Membership is renewable on payment of the annual membership fee and completion of the Membership Form (Appendix A) while an Associate Membership is renewable only on a request of the Associate given in writing to the Secretary General of the OMA, subject to the approval of the Shura Council.

 

Full Membership must be obtained or renewed at least one week prior to a general meeting to be eligible to vote on any matter to be decided at such a meeting.

 

The annual membership fee shall be determined from time to time at the Annual General Meeting of the OMA.  Once the amount is determined it will remain operative until further revision.

 

An eligible voting member shall be a full member who has been resident in the Otago District for a period of at least three months, and is 16 years of age or older.

 

Associates do not have the right to vote or become a member of the OMA Shura Council.

 

Membership of a member shall be terminated if he or she initiates doubts in the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) or abuses the family of the Prophet or his pious Caliphs and companions, he/she will be invited to attend a meeting with the Ulema Council of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand to explain his/her conduct. After a report based on the Islamic Shariah is received from the Ulema Council, the Shura Council will meet to take a decision whether to terminate the membership of that particular member.

 

Membership can also be terminated if any member violates the constitution of the OMA.

 

Any such decision to terminate membership shall be by a two-thirds majority of the Shura Council. Such a decision to be confirmed at the next General Meeting of the OMA members.