FINDING PEACE WITHIN AMERICAN MUSLIM FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Authored by Baitul Salaam Network Inc.

Presented by Hadayai MajeedResearch by Keilani Abdullah

Islam On WomenAl-Bukhari and Muslim, narrated from Ibn

`Abbas, from `Umar, that the latter said:

“In the Pre-Islamic Time of Ignorance we held women as nothing until Allah revealed what He revealed concerning them and assigned for them what He assigned.”

Islam On WomenThrough the Quran, Muslim women

obtained the right to: Object to marriage and choose a husband. Initiate a divorce. Own and inherit property. Work out of the home and earn income. Serve as witnesses and submit testimony. Pursue an education. Be free of mental and physical abuse.

Islam On WomenIslamic liturgy specifically: Defines women as equal to men before

God. Prohibits female infanticide. Prohibits “honor killings”. Criminalizes rapists, not rape victims. Promises heaven to parents that loving

rear daughters.

Islam On Marriage“And among His Signs is this, that He

created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts; verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” (Quran 30:21)

Islam On Marriage“Consort with them in kindness

(ma'ruf), for if you hate them it may be that you hate a thing wherein Allah has placed much good.” (Quran 4:19)

Resolving Marital Discord in Islam

“If you fear a breach between the two, appoint two arbiters, one from his family and the other from hers. If they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation. For Allah has full knowledge and is acquainted with all things.” (Quran 4:35)

Islam vs. Culture The letter and tone of Islamic liturgy is toward

human rights and improving the condition and status of the oppressed, including women.

Misogyny and the mistreatment of women is present across cultures, religions, and historical periods, and not exclusive to Muslim societies.

The optimal approach to DV intervention among Muslims is to address religious misinterpretations, cultural attitudes and social conditions.

Culturally Specific Issues Ostracism of women who report abuse. Stigma of divorce in the Muslim

community. Cultural values that emphasize family

honor over individual rights. Abuse due to misinterpretations of the

Quran. Language and cultural barriers in US. Child abduction, especially to foreign

country.

Culturally Specific Issues Rumors of immorality that threatens a

woman’s credibility and ability to garner family and community support.

Misuse of polygyny. Social ideal equating patience in an

abusive marriage with piety.

The Stats: Muslim Women & DV Most common cause of injuries for all women

in US. One third of all homicides each year in the

US. 10% of Muslim women experience emotional,

physical, and sexual abuse (Family Violence Prevention Fund 1993).

One Muslim community estimates that for every case of reported abuse, almost fifty are unreported, and less than two percent of victims actually seek help (Faiza 2001).

Muslim Women Survivors: A Study

This study analyzes data on 57 closed-case files from a battered women’s shelter (1999-2002) that serves Muslim women.

Data was obtained from the residence intake form.

Data was compiled into statistics showing the demographics and types of abuse.

Types of AbuseThe types of abuse women reported

included: emotional / verbal abuse physical abuse financial abuse (i.e., withhold/control

money) sexual abuse drug abuse weapons40% were victims of multiple abuses.

Types of AbuseAbuse Frequency PercentPhysical 13 22.8Emotional/Verbal

7 12.3

Financial 3 5.3Sexual 6 10.5Drugs 3 5.3Weapons 4 7.0Multiple Abuse 21 36.8Total 57 100.0

Significance of Types of Abuse Islam prohibits the husband to harm the

wife. Men are obligated to provide financial

support of wives whether married, separated or divorced.

Drug use is strictly prohibited in Islam. Conclusion: Intervention must explore

social factors contributing to DV among Muslims, and cannot look at religious ideas alone.

Types of Services Shelter Program (emergency housing) Assistance with TPO and Court Escort Support with seeking Social Services Support with divorce (Islamic and civil) Job Search Personal care items and clothing Transportation Counseling

RACERace Frequency Percent

African American

53 93.0

Other 4 7.0

Total 57 100.0

RACERace

African AmericanOther

Significance of Race “Others” include Caucasian American Muslims, Hispanic

American Muslims, African Muslims, South Asian Muslims, and both African American and Caucasian non-Muslims.

Masjids are segregated by ethnicity, primarily African American and international Muslims. Social services in Muslim communities reflect this ethnic division.

The director and shelter is out of the African American community, explaining 93% African Americans.

African American Muslims may seek DV services due to: - lack of family support due to Islamic conversion- tacit knowledge of social services.

The absence of international Muslim women due to:- needs being met by ethnic/language based DV agencies- less social knowledge about services and intervention- social stigma around “family honor” and seeking help.

Services Baitul Salaam Inc. services are used more

equally across racial groups. Services include resource referrals for:- TPOs- Lock Change- Money to leave the city or country- Mental health services- Temporary or emergency food- Rent and utilities assistance

Monthly IncomeIncome Frequency PercentNo Info Reported

26 45.6

$0 18 31.6$1 - $600 7 12.3$601 - $1,200 6 10.5Total 57 100.0

Types of Income

No Info Reported

46%

$0 32%

$1 - $60012%

$601 - $1,20011%

Income

Income SourceIncome Source Frequency PercentHousewife 1 1.75TANF 1 1.75Child Support 2 3.50SSI/SSD 2 3.50Employed 5 8.80Unemployed 2 3.50Multi Gov’t Aid 1 1.75Work & Gov’t Aid 1 1.75No Income 18 31.60Income Source Not Reported

9 15.80

No Info Reported 15 26.30Total 57 100.00

Significance of Income Reporting

Very low income was reported by all resident.

When a woman leaves the home due to DV, she leaves the husband’s financial support.

Women with family support and personal income may be less likely come to a shelter.

Omission of income and employment might indicate concerns about receiving shelter assistance if there is proof of income.

Significance of Income & Employment

Domesticity as an ideal is more prevalent among Muslims than in the mainstream, resulting in greater vulnerability.

Muslim women as ethnic and religious minorities face greater employment discrimination (religious dress, racism, and ethnic names) causing diminished earning power.

While African American women are more likely to work in the paid labor market than their immigrant counterparts, they are more highly concentrated in low wage jobs.

ConclusionsDV intervention for Muslim women in the

US must consider the following: Islamic institutions must address misogynistic

cultural attitudes and openly denounce DV. Masjids must support survivors with emotional

support, services, and financial resources. Muslim communities must build social

services institutions meeting multiple needs, including family support, employment services, emergency assistance, and counseling.

ConclusionsDV intervention for Muslim women in the

US must consider the following: Significant need for funding from within

Muslim communities, as well as grants. Where assistance programs in the Muslim community help non-Muslims and do not require religious participation as a condition for help, public funding options must be available.

Cultural sensitivity training is needed to support both Muslim DV and mainstream social services agencies and first responders ability for cultural competency.