The problem of domestic violence against women is an international and a national crisis today. In America today domestic violence is devastating and destroying Muslim families and communities in which women, girls, children and immigrants are the most adversely impacted. These women and girls face additional barriers because of language barriers, social and cultural differences. In many of the cases, in order to maintain control, their battering spouses purposefully keep them ignorant and isolated. Not surprisingly, most of these women and girls are unaware about their immigration status and rights. Therefore, this ignorance often deters battered immigrant women and girls from reporting abuse and reduces the likelihood of securing criminal convictions of abusers. Unfortunately, few local communities, service providers and government agencies are prepared to meet the challenges of providing protection and culturally sensitive services to migrant and immigrant women. There is a lack of technical assistance that focuses on the specific cultural, religious, linguistic, social and legal issues that victims of domestic violence from these communities face.
Since the inception of KARAMAH, we have heard from women who are concerned about the Islamic ruling on domestic violence, on whether or not it is acceptable practice within the religion. Some are told by their religious leaders and by their husbands that under certain circumstances it is acceptable. We have been actively educating women on this matter. Islam does not advocate nor condone violence against women. In fact, the Qur’anic definition of marriage is articulated in terms of mercy, tranquility and affection. Where there is violence, these qualities cease to exist. Muslim women, like all other women are absolutely encouraged to speak out against violence and seek justice.
Caught in a bind, A way out
Domestic violence and divorce remain topics that are taboo within many Muslim communities in the U.S, particularly the immigrant Muslim community. The communities Muslim women come from are not open enough to proactively discuss and combat violent behavior, Furthermore, there is a significant cultural gap between these women and the outside/external parties who are attempting to help them. Muslim women, therefore, suffer doubly from lack of understanding, from their community as well as from service providers.
It is because of KARAMAH’s unique status as an Islamic law-based women organization that it is able to tap into and gain the confidence of Muslim women in the U.S. The advice that KARAMAH provides to women is, in substance and method, culturally and religiously sensitive and thus is more respectful of their identity and more acceptable to them. This is a type of support and comfort that they cannot receive from the more patriarchal mosques and community centers.
Karamah’s Domestic Violence Services Include:
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Providing counseling based on the Islamic perspective on issues of marriage, divorce and domestic violence and providing women with a jurisprudential framework for their problems and explores with them possible Islamic legal solutions that best protect them and serve their interests.
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Providing legal referrals. The threat of deportation causes many immigrant women to avoid seeking criminal redress against their abusers. Regardless of their actual immigration status, many immigrant women fear being deported either upon reporting abuse to police, or along with their husbands if their husbands are criminally convicted of domestic violence-related crimes.
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Programs to inform immigrant women and girls of their legal rights, and of the processes that may be used to vindicate those rights. In cases of domestic violence ignorance of their rights often stems from the victim's experiences in her home country, in which domestic violence may have been treated merely as a non-criminal "private" matter, or what she is told by her abuser. In cases of post 9-11 civil rights violations in the U.S. often immigrant women and girls will be intimidated and silenced by the perpetrator of the hate crimes for fear of retaliation and retribution.
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Providing governmental and non-governmental service providers, community-based and faith-based organizations (CBOs/FBOs), and law enforcement agencies training, expertise, and problem-solving strategies that they need to meet the challenges of addressing domestic violence in the migrant and immigrant communities. |
How You Can Help
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Resources for Women within the D.C. Area
ASHA
202 207 1248
ashainc@aol.com
Asian
Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP)
202 464 4477
info@dvrp.org
Asian
Pacific American Legal Resource Center (LRC)
202 367 3099
District
of Columbia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://www.dccadv.org/
FAITH
703 437 1375
ambahmed@hotmail.com
My
Sister’s Place
http://www.mysistersplacedc.org/index.htm
National
Asian Pacific American Women's forum
202 243 2688
Immigrant Community Resources:
AYUDA
202 387 0434 ext 20
Korean
Community Center
(counseling for battered women and their children, oriented
to Korean women)
202 882 8270
La ClÍnica del Pueblo
(counseling and support for battered Hispanic and immigrant
women)
202 462 4788
Samhati
(Bangladeshi Women’s Organization, provide support
to women and children through social services)
http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/users/sawweb/sawnet/samhati.html
Outside the District:
Asian
& Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
www.apiahf.org/apidvinstitute
415 568 3315
Catholic
Charities – Immigration legal services
410 534 8015/301 942 1856/202 466 6611
CHAI
– Counselors Helping South Asian Indians
410 323 4835
Committee
for Domestic Harmony – Islamic Center of Long Island
516 942 2081
Islamic
Social Services Association
204 889 7451
shahinasiddiqui@hotmail.com
MIRECS
– Migrant and Refugee Cultural Support
301 460 6264
Muslim
Women's Help Line
(Hotline for Muslim women and girls in the U.K. dealing
with domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other problems.)
Unit 3, 1st Floor
GEC Estate, East Lane
Wembley HA9 7PX, U.K.
Phone: 0181 904 8193 or 0181 908 6715
SAKHI
For South Asian Women
212 714 9153
Turning Point for Women and Families, New York
Tel: 718 883 9400
Email: info@turningpoint-ny.org
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