Be Proactive-by Yvonne Ridley, Patron of Nour

Domestic violence is a taboo subject in many communities yet it affects so many women, and even men, regardless of their professions, class, religion, colour, culture or nationality. Too many people try and sweep the problem under the carpet in the hope that if we can’t see it we won’t discuss it and if we don’t discuss it then it might just go away. Well it won’t.

There is nothing Islamic about wife battering and yet it happens in our Muslim communities. Painful as it might be we, as Muslims, must confront the issue directly because if we remain silent then some may interpret this as a green light to continue being violent towards our mothers, daughters, wives and sisters … and even men can be victims as well.

The destruction domestic violence creates can be measured on several different levels. Firstly, it goes completely against the teachings of Islam. It is also illegal and criminal and the negative effect it has destroys the very fabric of family life and can spread like a cancer through to the next generation. When a child watches his father batter his mother, wife or daughter what sort of example does this set? What sort of role model do you think the abuser provides?

This is not just a woman’s problem either. Our brothers can play a huge role in ending the cycle of violence by simply refusing to look the other way and speaking out. Violence does not equal strength or promote masculinity. It is a vice which exposes weakness and cowardice because more often than not the victim is much weaker than the aggressor.

The Muslim community across the UK is already being forensically examined by outsiders who are quick to criticise and judge us but the worst thing we can do is hide our problems and remain silent.

A battered woman is often too ashamed, embarrassed and isolated to speak out, and the abuser may even have convinced his victim that she was asking for it … but please remember this is NEVER the case. No one deserves this sort of treatment and the villain in every case is the one who uses the violence. Domestic violence is not Islamic – the Holy Qur’an tells us that men and women are protectors of one another. There is no verse which says it is admissible to slap, kick or punch your wife or your husband.

The time has come when we have to take a stand. Nour has made that important first step in the Muslim community by offering a team of Islamic advisors and health advisors to victims. If you know of someone who is a victim of domestic violence tell them about Nour, encourage them to contact this organisation and take that all important first step to seeking help.

By ending the silence you will also end the violence.

Yvonne Ridley

Patron of Nour

********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Nour is a organisation set up to act as a voice for those who are unable to stand up against domestic violence. We aim to serve as a platform for the victims of such violence through education and raising awareness, with a particular focus on the usage of Islamic literature to condemn such acts. Our mission is to be able to provide services such as a communication line which will require office space and a permanent staff member, a social worker, psychotherapists experienced in the Islamic field and legal aid, as well as direct advice from scholars regarding Islamic ruling. This will only be possible through our combined effort and your generous donations.

Donations can now be made quickly and safely through our PayPal donate button.

http://nour-dv.org.uk/donate/

You can also make a donation directly into our Nour account:

Nour
Natwest
Account number: 65858557
Sort code: 51-50-03

Alternatively, if you wish to support us through a monthly donation, then you can set up monthly standing orders by completing the standing order form provided here

http://nour-dv.org.uk/standing-order-form/

Or you can even donate by making a cheque payable to ‘Nour’ and posting it to our address below:

Nour – Domestic Violence
PO BOX 62954
London
N9 1BT

All donations directly go towards the projects, campaigns and services we offer at Nour.

Thank You