Get Involved
Membership, donations, volunteering, graves and burial, and feedback — every way to be part of MCSI, in one place.
Become a member
Membership is how a scattered community becomes a countable one. It connects your family formally to MCSI, gives you a voice at general meetings, and underwrites the welfare work the community does quietly for its own.
- A vote at general meetings and a say in how the community is run.
- Priority notification for events, Deeni Academy enrolment and welfare services.
- Access to the Welfare Committee for graves, burial and repatriation assistance.
- The monthly newsletter and direct announcements from the committee.
Support the community
MCSI receives no government funding and pays no salaries. Rent on the musallah, electricity, teaching materials for the Deeni Academy and welfare support for families in hardship are met entirely by people who give.
General fund
Rent, utilities and day-to-day running of the musallah — the least glamorous and most necessary expense the community has.
Deeni Academy
Books, workbooks and teaching materials so that no child is turned away for cost.
Welfare & sadaqah
Confidential support for members facing illness, bereavement or financial hardship.
Donation details — to be supplied
Bank account name, BSB, account number, PayID and any online giving link (PayPal, Stripe, Beem) go here. A QR code image can sit alongside them for people giving at the musallah.
Two things worth deciding at the same time: whether to offer a recurring monthly option — recurring gifts are what make rent predictable — and whether to publish MCSI’s ABN and DGR status, which materially increases the size of the average donation from Australian donors.
Monthly support appeal
The community runs a monthly support appeal with a target of $6,000, reported in the community newsletter. Regular monthly giving, even in small amounts, is what makes that target reachable.
Photo — volunteers setting upCommunity members preparing for an event
Give time instead
Not everyone can give money. Almost everyone can give an hour.
MCSI has no employees. Every prayer mat laid out, every class taught, every meal served at Eid Milap and every spreadsheet reconciled is done by someone from this community in their own time.
- Deeni Academy — teaching, supervising, preparing materials, drop-off help.
- Events — setup and pack-down, catering, welcoming new attendees.
- Musallah upkeep — cleaning, small repairs, maintenance.
- Welfare — visiting the sick, transport, meals for families in difficulty.
- Media & admin — photography, the newsletter, social media, bookkeeping.
Graves, burial & repatriation
One of the most practical services MCSI provides — and the one families are least prepared for when they need it.
Reserving a grave in Sydney
MCSI assists members with registering and reserving graves in Sydney. Arranging this in advance spares a grieving family decisions they should not have to make in the first twenty-four hours.
Repatriation consent
For families who wish a deceased member to be returned to their country of origin, MCSI holds a repatriation consent process so that wishes are documented in advance and can be acted on quickly.
Grave & repatriation forms
The old site had dedicated Register/Buy Graves in Sydney and Repatriate Consent form pages. Please supply the current forms (PDF or the form fields) and they will be published here as downloads or as proper web forms. Given the sensitivity, a named contact person and a phone number would be far better than a general email address.
Join the mailing list
The monthly newsletter, event announcements, and moonsighting confirmations — which often come the evening before Eid.
We send roughly one email a month plus urgent announcements. Unsubscribe any time. See our privacy policy.
Tell the committee what you think
Suggestions, concerns, corrections, or an offer to help with something you noticed needs doing. Feedback raised here is treated confidentially.
Getting involved — frequently asked
How do I become a member of MCSI?
Complete the membership form on this page and the committee will contact you to confirm your details and explain the annual contribution. Membership is open to Mehdavi families and individuals in Sydney.
Are donations to MCSI tax deductible in Australia?
MCSI is an incorporated association registered with Fair Trading NSW. Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status is a separate endorsement from the ATO. Please confirm MCSI’s current status with the Treasurer before claiming a deduction — we would rather you asked than assumed.
What are donations actually spent on?
Musallah rent and utilities, Deeni Academy teaching materials, event costs, and welfare support for members facing hardship. There are no salaries — every role at MCSI is voluntary.
How do I arrange a grave or burial through MCSI?
MCSI assists members with reserving graves in Sydney and with repatriation consent arrangements. Because these matters are time-sensitive and personal, please contact the Welfare Committee directly rather than relying on this page — details are in the Graves and burial section below.
Can I volunteer if I have no religious training?
Absolutely. The community needs people who can set up chairs, cook, drive, manage a spreadsheet, take photographs, fix a leaking tap, or supervise children at drop-off. Practical help is as valuable as religious knowledge.
How do I give feedback or raise a concern?
Use the feedback form on this page, or email the committee directly. Concerns raised with the committee are treated confidentially.