The Big Picture: Follow-Up

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Follow-Up

This article ran in the opinion section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution today, reiterating many of the points we made in yesterday's post.

Last March, the American Islamic Fellowship, in partnership with the Progressive Muslim Network in Washington, D.C., and I AM: American Muslim in Phoenix, launched "Not in Our Name: United Against Domestic Violence." It was a campaign to unite all people of faith in an effort to bring an end to this problem that affects all our communities. Another Muslim initiative to fight domestic violence internationally is the Peaceful Families Project.
We need to support these efforts so that no life is ever taken in the name of religion.

We encourage you to read the article in its entirety.

1 comment:

American Islamic Fellowship said...: As a follow-up to our article, the American Islamic Fellowship is also providing a resource sheet to interested individuals found here. While the resource sheet has a local focus, it can easily be adapted for any area, state, region or event. We understand many people will still choose to see this person as a "victim of another society", but it is very important for people to realize, and some are, that Sandeela was a neighbor and her situation is applicable to and affects everyone.; July 11, 2008 at 7:39 PM

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Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through physical, sexual, emotional, and/or financial abuse. Both men and women are capable of misusing power and perpetrating violence, and male victims are often just as afraid to call the police. More resources for female survivors exist, however, because overwhelmingly women and children suffer the most severe consequences (medical, legal, social, and financial) and therefore require the most intensive interventions.

Many women choose to stay in abusive relationships because they do not want their relationship to end...just the violence. Women often remain in, or return to, abusive relationships because their partners threaten to harm them and their loved ones if they attempt to leave. Commonly, women choose to leave when they become convinced that their life is at risk, or that their children are in danger.

Domestic violence is not just a "family matter". The violence will not stop until men and women come together with a common attitude of non-tolerance. We must speak out for those who may not feel safe speaking up, and our children must learn through our words and example that violence is never justified.