By NiaContent warning: Domestic violence, child abuse, and violence against women. If you’re being abused, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit their website for help; please keep in mind that many abusers monitor web usage, and access resources as safely as you can. In one of the latest incident of domestic violence that took…
By GameelahNouman Ali Khan, the founder of a prestigious Islamic school in Texas, held status in the Muslim community for many years as a famous teacher and sheikh on YouTube, beloved by many, including women. However, he wasn’t the man he portrayed himself as. A few years ago, he was exposed as having multiple affairs with…
By Jessica Daqamsseh“Come as you are, to Islam as it is.” A call to fellowship and communal religious growth in a culturally relevant safe space. A judgement-free zone where believers can be their most authentic selves. This is the Ta’leef Collective, founded by California-born Islamic scholar Usama Canon. In Arabic, “ta’leef” means “to bring together” or “to…
By manalmoazzamIn March 2019, I had the honor of attending a poetry reading by Najwa Zebian, a woman I have greatly admired for a while. As Najwa spoke, her soft, yet firm, dulcet tones compelling us to join her on a journey through heartbreak and betrayal, ultimately ending in glorious triumph over that heartbreak, it struck me…
By Salam Lulu Aboulhassan and Teri BazziTrigger warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse and rape. Sexual abuse continues to plague Arab and Muslim American communities, as it does all communities, because like any form of abuse, it doesn’t discriminate. Cultural traditions that emphasize collectivism, where the institution of the family takes precedence over the individual, have been reproduced…
By lunaazzureDisclaimer: This post may be triggering for some, and includes details of suicide and sexual assault. I remember watching TED talks, and reading articles about women who had forgiven their rapists. The comments seem to be quite similar, all along the lines of “She’s so inspirational“, and “How brave of her.” I wished I could…
By Zeina JhaishTrigger warning: Abuse As we are all aware, it is 2018. You’d think by now, “Oh, men and women are fairly equal, a lot of problems resulting from misogyny have vanished, we’re all good.” WRONG. Women have come a long way, but this is not just about equality; it is about the dynamics of power…
By Guest BloggerTW: Physical abuse, sexual assault. I remember the first time I met him. I was so impressed with his confidence, his talent, his tiny fancy sports car. He walked around like he just didn’t care about anything, but was extremely shy and reserved. Our first dates were amazing. I remember feeling butterflies in my stomach…
By Guest BloggerTrigger warning: abuse. This is a poem I wrote about a year ago about my observations in my own South Asian/Mauritian Muslim community, about how domestic violence remains a taboo subject — something people and even (or maybe especially) religious leaders remain uneducated about and quick to think can be solved by mere patience/sabr/prayers from…
By Guest BloggerAs a survivor of violence and in the process of healing, I wrote this poem in a form that it tells my story of resilience and to encourage many others that in difficulty that there comes an ease. I hope to those who read this story understands that each of us were given us a…
