On the Road to Sakinah
Update on Family Violence Cases Affecting the Muslim-American Community:
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Shaima Alawadi: Murdered by person(s)
unknown, March 2012. We've been in contact with the police chief of El Cajon and
they are still working on the case. The case is "very complicated" according to
him. Shaima's murder has not been forgotten and we will continue to follow up with
them.
- Abdifatah Mohamud: Beaten to death by his step-father, April 2012. His stepfather
was in court last week in Buffalo, NY. He remains in jail, not eligible for bail,
awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder.
- Khalil Wimes: Murdered by his biological parents, March 2012. His parents are both
being held for trial in his death. It took the medical examiner 61 minutes to detail
all of the scars and injuries on his poor body. The parents were denied bail. The
DHS social worker involved in the case was removed as well.
- Nazish Noorani: Murdered by her husband (arranged killing), August 2011. In August
2012, the family of Nazish Noorani gained custody of her two sons away from the
family of her husband (who arranged her murder).
Gathering Community @ ISNA 49th Annual Convention
This year, by the grace
of Allah, Project Sakinah achieved some “firsts” during the ISNA convention. For
the first time ever, the Muslim community had a PSA
about family violence that played several times in the main hall before main sessions
at the convention. For the first time ever, there was a big, beautiful booth about
family stability and stopping domestic violence right in front of the bazaar. The
theme of the booth was Sakinah, tranquility. Cool, light colors along with fresh
flowers made our booth very prominent and a refreshing sight for the bazaar visitors.
Like last year, we recorded video statements of several leaders and community members
in support of Project Sakinah. The community’s response was very warm and welcoming.
We sold and distributed several campaign items, including, stickers, buttons, bookmarks,
and informative material about ourselves and our collaborators. The new pocket size
card entitled “Protect Your Loved Ones” became one hot item for people to keep in
their wallets or to take for their friends or family members.
New Project Sakinah Teams Forming
Brothers and Sisters
from all over the country stopped by our booth at the ISNA Convention held this
year in Washington, DC. It was inspiring to have 160 people sign up and ask “What
can I do to help?” Significant numbers of people expressed interest in starting
teams in Raleigh and the Washington, DC metro area. We will hold kick-off meetings
in these cities as soon as we can. We are also looking forward to working with people
from Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania and
Maryland who came talk to us about starting teams. If you live in one of these areas
and want to get more involved in upcoming activities, please let us know.
Collaboration Deepens
Collaboration among
organizations, professionals and Imams, and community members is at the core of
Project Sakinah’s mission. During the 2012 ISNA convention Project Sakinah’s efforts
this effort was advanced in significant ways. Long-time collaborators Peaceful Families
Project and the Islamic Social Services Association of the United States of America
, and the Healthy Families Initiative of the Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement
sent representatives who brought their considerable experience and familiarity with
the issue to bear on interactions with visitors to our booth. The Foundation for
Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help of Herndon, VA contributed copies of the
excellent “What Islam Says about Domestic Violence: a guide for helping Muslim families”
by Zaynab Alawani and Salma Abugideiri which were rapidly snapped up by visitors
to the booth, as were the booklets about Domestic Violence sent to us from Apna
Ghar in Chicago. We had support and materials from Robina Niaz and the Turning Point
for Women and Girls, as well. In addition, new relationships began with the Association
of Muslim Chaplains and many other individuals and organizations.
Dr Tariq Ramadan Supports Project Sakinah
“I am very much supportive of Project Sakinah, because it deals with something very essential in Islam. In the name of Islam, let us come together and say 'Stop!' to Domestic Violence”
Watch the video for full statement.
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You and Project Sakinah
Project Sakinah is your project. Its success depends upon YOU. Please do your
part.
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Give us feedback: Post
a question. Suggest a topic for next month’s e-newsletter. Shine some light on a
friend or community member. Tell us how we are doing.
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Volunteer Your Time: Time
is money. Project Sakinah is a community project. It cannot sustain and grow without
having enough volunteers that can invest some of their precious time in bringing
the change in their communities. Even an hour a month of your time can help us reaching
another goal. Please tell us if you would like to volunteer your time. There are
plenty of things to do for everyone.
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times a day. Join us on Facebook, invite your friends, and help us to spread the
message.
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