UK Bengali run mosques for village politics

I don’t know if this is the case in bigger cities, buts certainly in smaller cities and towns, I have visited, I have always come across two faction (at the very least if not more) of the Bengali community. The Communities are divided, mainly by the Bangladeshi political views they subscribe to. There is always a fight to be the Chairman and most certainly the seat is taken by the wealthiest guy (first generation sasa) in town and supported with the riches that his Alcohol trade brings.

I was in a City (that shall remain nameless), at Friday Jummah, the chairman picked up a chair to attack some one who opposed his suggestion. This was 5 years ago and he is still the Chairman, mainly because everyone is scared of him (his is the only phone that will ring before prayers and he will answer it and walk to the back room to finish his conversation, his little management group will also sit facing the worshipers like the imam during and after prayers. And above all they will wait for him during normal prayers if he is a few minutes late (and is expected). The Eid prayer will always be delayed for more late comers) . This has divided the community wider. Since then the opposing group raised money and opened another mosque. I have seen similar cases all across smaller towns and cities in the UK.

The second generation seem to support the first generations corrupted politics, mainly because their fathers and uncles support it (and as the heavy mob), but you can tell they have a dislike for what they are doing and supporting. They are the ones who will mingle with everyone on both sides and they do not discriminate when it comes to friendship, but only take sides when it comes to the mosque politics.

What I have found is that, the new comers (and what I mean is that the “lal passport group”, who came here on spouse visa). They tend to support the first generation with their politics in the mosque.  I feel as though they think the mosque is their only political battle ground, the one they left behind in Bangladesh.

The third  generation (British born), here is what I struggle with, nowhere near supporting their fathers and uncles, some only attend Friday prayers, or have a younger more religious group they are involved with (that is another topic for another day).

Is the mosque a place for politics?? Are we waiting for the first generation to pass before things clean up and social unrest within Bengali communities recedes?