• 1255 Columbia Road, Westlake, OH 44145
  • (440) 385 4064

CODE OF CONDUCT

To provide a safe environment and the best spiritual and educational experience for all its attendees, WCMA has laid forth the following regulations, which will go into effect on January 1st, 2023.

These regulations apply to all adults as well as children (<18 years of age) under the responsibility of their parent (s), adult family members, or designated caregivers.

These regulations apply to the whole building and its premises, including the basketball court and all parking lot areas.

All adults must familiarize themselves and their families/children with these regulations and observe them at all times.

  • Dress should be modest and according to Islamic etiquette at all times.
  • Remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall, and place your shoes in an orderly fashion on the shoe racks.
  • WCMA is a no-smoking facility (this includes vaping and e-cigarettes). Our non-smoking policy extends to the inside and outside of the facility, including the parking lot.
  • Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the prayer hall except for water bottles during Ramadan, which should be appropriately disposed of in the provided recycle bins.
  • Do not block hallways, doors, fire exits, or access points to and from the prayer halls.
  • Do not tamper with any interior or exterior electric systems or appliances, including lighting, air-conditioning/heating system, sound system, elevators, door locks/codes, or donation boxes.
  • Park your vehicles in the designated spaces only. Drivers are responsible for following the directions of parking attendants for Jumaa and Eid prayers, special events, or other gatherings.
  • Overnight parking is not allowed on WCMA premises without written permission from WCMA Board.
  • Vehicles parked illegally will be towed at the owner’s expense.
  • Minimize all conversations, including cell phone conversations, inside the prayer halls.
  • Cell phones should be kept silent in the prayer halls, especially during prayer and sermons.
  • All internet browsing on the masjid-WIFI should be appropriate, educational, and within norms of decency, both for children and adults, at all times.
  • Viewing inappropriate content, listening to music, watching videos, or browsing social media is not permitted on the premises, especially in the prayer hall.
  • Video or audio recording sharing (online or social media) is not allowed without expressed written permission from the WCMA Board.
  • WCMA welcomes all children and families and expects parents and adult family members to maintain a reasonable level of discipline amongst their children during prayers, sermons, and lectures.
  • In line with the etiquette of a masjid, WCMA has a zero-tolerance policy for using profanity or rude or foul language on its premises.
  • Any debate(s) or argument (s) (political, religious, personal) are not acceptable on WCMA premises.
  • WCMA has a zero-tolerance policy for any verbal or physical abuse. Fighting, altercations, threatening behavior, or bullying (including cyberbullying) on its premises; furthermore, video/audio recording and sharing (online or social media) of such incident(s) are not permissible by WCMA.
  • Teachers and teaching assistants are responsible for maintaining discipline amongst the students immediately before, during, and after the classes until children are picked up by their parents, adult family members, or designated caregivers. This rule also applies to Saturday/Sunday school.
  • Teachers and teaching assistants must register and maintain only a manageable number of students per class and should maintain decorum and discipline at all times.
  • According to Islamic teachings, parents or adult family members will be responsible for their children’s use of the bathroom facilities under norms of decency and cleanliness. Teachers and teaching assistants will be responsible during classes, lectures, and Saturday/Sunday school.
  • It is the parent’s or adult family member’s responsibility to supervise children at all times except during their classes, during which it is the teachers’ and teaching assistants’ responsibility
  • Parents should ensure that their children’s caregivers’ contact phone numbers are registered with the teachers, teaching assistants, and the Saturday/Sunday school administration.
  • Parent(s), adult family member, or designated caregiver should make appropriate arrangements to pick up their children from the school within a reasonable time and to immediately contact the teachers, teaching assistants, or Saturday/Sunday school administrator, if they are unable to do so.
  • No child under sixteen may be left alone with anyone except their parent, adult family member, or designated caregiver.
  • Children are not allowed in the funeral room or office spaces and the kitchen/pantry without adult supervision.
  • Do not damage or do anything that could damage WCMA property, building, books, or other masjid property, including those in the bathroom or kitchen facilities.
  • Do not act in a manner that may damage WCMA’s reputation.
  • WCMA property, books, décor, or other masjid property, may not be removed from the premises without the express written permission of the WCMA Board.
  • Weapons (including handguns, shotguns, automatic or semi-automatic rifles, knives, blades, swords, or items that can potentially cause bodily harm to someone) are not permissible on WCMA premises or in the person of any individual at any time
  • If an adult member wishes to carry a sidearm (only), they must first submit a request to the WCMA Board for a reason (s) for the same and obtain final authorization from the WCMA Board before bringing the sidearm.
  • No individual or group of individuals are allowed to stay overnight on WCMA’s premises without written permission from the WCMA Board (except i’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, as permitted by the WCMA Board.
  • All sermons, khutbahs, lectures, activities, and guest-speaking must be pre-approved by the WCMA Board, with consultation with the Imam.
  • Only pre-approved individual(s) will be allowed to make announcements or utilize the microphone for any reason.
  • Fundraising is not allowed without express written permission from the WCMA Board.
  • No individual or organization is permitted to distribute, sell, or buy any product(s) or food items or place advertisements, signs, or flyers on WCMA premises or online or social media (as it relates to WCMA) without the express written permission of the WCMA
  • No individual, group of individuals, or organization is allowed to create a social media platform or group, under the name of WCMA, without the express written permission of the WCMA Board.
  • No personal or donation item(s) may be left at WCMA’s premises without the express written consent of the WCMA Board.
  • WCMA has the right to report to law enforcement to investigate any illegal or suspicious activity or have a suspicious package(s) disposed of by law enforcement.
  • WCMA does not assume liability for personal injury, loss, damage, or theft on its premises.
  • WCMA attendees should report suspicious activity, allegations of child abuse, or violations of WCMA rules or regulations to the WCMA Board.
  • Any incident of suspected child abuse must be registered under the laws of the State of Ohio as outlined in Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.421.

Only the WCMA Board has the right to investigate (by an assigned committee), hold liable, take disciplinary action (including but not limited to asking individual(s) to leave premises or being banned from non-prayer activities), and demand payment for damages/financial loss(es). Any person who has violated the Code of as mentioned above of Conduct may face disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from WCMA.