Networking and Collaboration among Islamic Organisations: Issues, Momentum and Sustainability Dr. Ahmad Bello Dogarawa, Abu Abdir-Rahmān Department of Accounting, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

 It is generally believe that when many groups with different views, resources, and skills come together to apply their intelligence and strength to an issue, the results can be like the work of superheroes.  The questions therefore are: 1) What are the different ways that Islamic organisations can work together? 2) Why is it important for Islamic organisations to work together? 3) What are some of the challenges that Islamic organisations confront when they are working together? 4) How can Islamic groups begin to build and sustain organisational relationships with each other?  This presentation seeks to answer the above questions Introduction Saturday, February 27,

Modified from David Coleman, 2012 Collaboration Cooperation Coordination Networking Individual effort Level of purpose or Goal Low High Level of CommitmentHigh Low Ways Organisations can work together [1] Saturday, February 27,

LevelPurpose Networking Exchanging information for mutual benefit Coordination Exchanging information for mutual benefit and altering activities to achieve a common purpose Cooperation Exchanging information for mutual benefit, and altering activities and sharing resources to achieve a common purpose Collaboration Exchanging information for mutual benefit, altering activities, sharing resources, and enhancing the capacity of another to achieve a common purpose Collaborative network Focuses on the structure, behaviour, and evolving dynamics of networks of autonomous entities that collaborate to better achieve common or compatible goals. Ways Organisations can work together [2] Saturday, February 27,

Brings together organisations and resources to work toward a shared goal. enables organisations achieve results that would be difficult for any single organisation to accomplish alone. Eases access to and interactions with experts and experienced people improves both quality and quantity of work, and allows groups to contribute ideas, expertise, and resources. Empowerments organisations to apply political pressure and have a stronger voice Benefits of Collaborative Networks Saturday, February 27,

1) Some organisations believe that individual effort is more beneficial than collaboration. 2) Dearth of necessary communication skills for working together. 3) Weak leadership. 4) Building consensus is time-consuming process. 5) Mistrust among members particularly during conflict. 6) Complexity of managing large networks and its logistics. 7) Challenge of finding a means of dividing up work equitably among members. Challenges of Collaborative Networks Saturday, February 27,

How to form Collaborative Networks Saturday, February 27,

1) Share information among members of the network. 2) Develop a network mission statement and goals that will bring out the philosophy of the network, its shared values, how the network plans to carry-out its activities, and the issues the network supports and addresses. 3) Develop specific, achievable, and measurable objectives, and strategies of achieving them. 4) Establish a structure and leadership roles. 5) Be explicit about how decisions will be made. 6) Identify and seek viable sources of funding. Tips for Sustaining Collaborative Networks [1] Saturday, February 27,

7) Share responsibilities through committees. 8) Expand the base. 9) Hold regular meetings. 10) Keep members informed. 11) Select spokespeople who will represent the collaborative network to the media. Tips for Sustaining Collaborative Networks [2] Saturday, February 27,

 والعصر. إن الإنسان لفي خسر. إلا الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات وتواصوا بالحق وتواصوا بالصبر [Asr, 1-3] وتعاونوا على البر والتقوي [Maa’idah, 3] واعتصموا بحبل الله جميعا ولا تفرقوا [Aal Imraan, 103]  ثلاث لا يغل عليهن قلب امرىء مسلم : اخلاص العمل لله، والنصح لأئمة المسلمين، ولزوم جماعتهم [Ibn Maajah] إن الله أمرني بالجماعة [Ahmad] اثنان، خير من واحد، وثلاث خير من اثنين، وأربع خير من ثلاثة، فعليكم بالجماعة فإن الله لن يجمع أمتي إلا على هدى [Ahmad] عليكم بالجماعة، وإياكم والفرقة فإن الشيطان مع الواحد وهو من الاثنين أبعد. من أراد بحبوحة الجنة فليلزم الجماعة [Tirmidhi] الجماعة رحمة، والفرقة عذاب [Ibn Abee Aasim] Reflection Saturday, February 27,

 Networking, coordination, cooperation and collaboration enable Islamic organisations working together to accomplish goals they could not reach working in isolation.  Where are Nigeria-based Islamic organisations in this regard? In Conclusion Saturday, February 27,