Guiding Principles and Policies of the DawaNet

The trustees of the DawaNet approved following principles during its founding meeting in Chicago, IL on 21st-22nd August 1999. These principles will be reflected in the development of bylaws, policies and action plan of DawaNet.

1. The purpose of DawaNet is to establish a network of Muslims who are committed to inviting others to Islam through personal dawa efforts, assisting masjids and Islamic centers in developing and strengthening their dawa programs, and educating Muslims in appropriate and effective methods of dawa.
2. DawaNet will adhere to a one-tiered, task-oriented organization on the model of a network in which all responsibilities (objectives, time frames, finances, etc.) will be clearly defined.
3. If building institutions outside the framework of DawaNet's aims and objectives becomes a necessity, they will be developed as independent entities not organizationally linked with DawaNet.
4. DawaNet will focus its goals and activities on North America.
5. Members of DawaNet may be members of other organizations provided there are no conflicts with the objectives and activities of DawaNet.
6. DawaNet will always maintain a solid legal and fiscal foundation.
7. DawaNet will adopt language and terminologies that are appropriate to the target audience.
8. DawaNet will adhere to a shura-centered decision making process. The president of DawaNet will abide by the majority opinion of the board expressed through votes.
9. DawaNet will adhere to the fiqhi position that our relationship with North America is that of darul ahd (contractual) and as such all DawaNet activities, as well as individual member activities, will abide by the laws of land.
10. DawaNet will strive to maintain a membership which reflects the ethnic diversity of Muslims in North America. At least half of the members of the Board of Directors should be American-born Muslims. The Presidency should be rotated between immigrant and American-born Muslims.
11. Both men and women will be full participants of DawaNet at all levels.
12. DawaNet will engage and encourage its members to consistently participate in action for social justice and assistance to needy persons.
13. DawaNet will be open to affiliations and collaborations with other organizations active in the area of dawa. A memorandum of understanding will be developed to guide any mutual relationship(s) between DawaNet and any other organization.
14. DawaNet will appoint an ethnically diverse board of advisors comprised of leaders from the Muslim community of North America in order to benefit from their expertise and advice.
15. This document can only be amended by three-fourths majority of the Board of Trustees.