ROLE OF IMÄ€MS IN COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE CANADIAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY

Abstract

Muslim women are not more vulnerable to spousal violence. In an anti-Muslim climate, however, the reluctance to talk about this issue fuels questions about the extent of community tolerance. This small-scale study examines the potential role of Canadian ImÄms in changing community attitudes on domestic violence by investigating their current level of awareness, perception and approach, along with victims’ and perpetrators’ reliance on the mosque community. Data was collected from the interviews of eight faith leaders and a survey of 170 Muslim women in Canada. Among key findings: (a) half of the victims seek help from their ImÄms, however (b) most ImÄms lack training in counseling; (c) Though, most Canadian ImÄms maintain that domestic violence is harÄm and (d) majority of the Muslim men (incl. perpetrators) attend Jumu’ah, (e) one-third perpetrators quote IslÄm to justify abuse, and (f) khutbah and community workshops on domestic violence remain infrequent. Findings of the study highlight the need for awareness and training workshops for ImÄms and faith leaders on spiritually integrated counseling, as well as how to recognize abuse, respond effectively, and when to refer to a specialist or report. It also emphasizes the need for ImÄms to use their platforms for clarifying IslÄm’s stance on domestic violence and re-claiming the community narrative.