loading

Blindspot!

<FIRST <PREV NEXT> LAST>

From Issue: 663 [Read full issue]

Call to Eradicate Domestic Violence

As Muslims, we base our ethics and behaviour on the teachings of the Quran and the authenticated example of the Prophet Muhammad, who never hit a woman and taught the men that “the best amongst you is he who treats women the best”. The Quran unequivocally emphasizes the sanctity of all life, forbids all forms of coercion in matters of religion, and reminds us all that each of us is accountable for our actions directly to God, the only Judge.

There is no room within these teachings for any person, by virtue of gender or position within the family, to seize control over the life and bodily security of another.  Domestic violence and, in the extreme, practices such as killing to “restore family honour” violate clear and non-negotiable Islamic principles.

Let us declare our commitment to intensify our efforts to eradicate domestic violence from our communities through:

  1. Working within our community and with other communities to raise awareness of harmful (and sometimes lethal) attitudes that lead to this violence.

  2. Working within our communities to raise awareness about the serious psychological, judicial, social and religious consequences of such practices, through Friday sermons, public lectures, workshops, and other means.

  3. Morally opposing the use of the word “honour” when describing such killings to ensure no positive connotation is implied directly or indirectly in connection to such heinous crimes.

  4. Working with community leaders and Imams in order to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary resources and training so that they can offer mediation, conflict resolution, and domestic violence counselling in a manner that reflects professional standards, contemporary research, and religious scholarship.

  5. Educating parents and youth about existing resources that can help them deal with intergenerational conflicts and misogynist leanings far before it gets to the point of violent confrontation.

  6. Teaching parents and youth how to deal with intergenerational conflicts and misogynist leanings.

Compiled From:
"Call to Action to Eradicate Domestic Violence"

<FIRST <PREV NEXT> LAST>