Muslims for White Ribbon Campaign-breaking the silence on violence against women

Posted Dec 20, 2012      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version Bookmark and Share

Muslims for White Ribbon Campaign-breaking the silence on violence against women


“Domestic violence and, the extreme practice of killing to “restore family honor” clearly violates a non-negotiable Islamic principle, and should be categorically condemned”


Anas ibn Malik, a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said, “I have never seen anyone kinder to one’s family than the Prophet Muhammad.” (Sahih Muslim).

This kindness is something to reflect upon as Muslims listen to Imams across the country today delivering sermons for the Friday prayer, and raising awareness on the serious issue of violence against women in Canada.

This across Canada action is in response to the Muslims for White Ribbon Campaign, part of a larger world-wide, grassroots effort to end violence against women.

The objectives of the campaign are to break the silence on violence against women in the Muslim community, promote healthy relationships through education, and create partnerships among Mosques, women’s organizations, and social agencies to create a future without violence against women.

The Campaign will run from November 25, 2012 [International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women] and culminate in White Ribbon Days at Reviving the Islamic Spirit (RIS) Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (December 21 – 23).

These actions need to be taken immediately as the facts and figures on domestic violence and abuse are staggering.

On average, every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her spouse/intimate partner. On any given day in Canada, more than 3,000 women (along with their 2,500 children) are living in an emergency shelter to escape domestic violence.

Each year, over 40,000 arrests result from domestic violence – that’s about 12% of all violent crime in Canada.  Since only 22% of all incidents are reported to the police, the real number is much higher. Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.

As Muslims who base our values and behavior on the teachings of the Quran and the authenticated example of the Prophet, there is absolutely no room within these teachings for any person to seize physical control over the life of another human being in a family.  Domestic violence and, the extreme practice of killing to “restore family honor” clearly violates a non-negotiable Islamic principle, and should be categorically condemned.

Let us make a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women, girls and families.

This article originally published on Muslim Presence 

 

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