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Muslim Women's Helpline

How many women have to suffer before society wakes up?

Opening a letter on Tuesday I noticed the logo of the Muslim Women's Helpline. Naturally, this bought a smile to my face. In December 2006 I had partaken in a half marathon for this groundbreaking charity, which has been subserviently serving the community for many a year. The smile was abruptly wiped off my face as the letter proceeded to inform me that after years of sterling service surviving on a shoestring, The Muslim Women’s Helpline (MWH) is to close after a failed grant application put further sustainability in doubt.

by EMDAD RAHMAN

Sorry state of Muslim Women’s Helpline is down to community Scrooge mentality

I'd like to narrate a very recent personal account involving the MWH. An acquaintance of mine who I will call Maryam had arrived in the UK from the Middle East after a successful work interview. Over the next few months Maryam, an intelligent and sophisticated lady of the highest order changed completely in character, becoming a recluse after suffering from domestic violence. 'I'm used to being loved and the centre of attention' she confided to me. 'I'm not used to being punched repeatedly.' To cut a long story short, I asked Maryam to call the helpline after she refused to attend a police station or meet with a professional. A miracle has since occured; Maryam, by the grace of God, has restored her previous vivacity, confidence and wellbeing. She has learnt to deal with the violence with the help of the MWH. For me, as they say in football punditry, that moment of magic (Maryam's recuperation) was worth the entire entrance fee alone.

Over the course of the last  eighteen years the support of big hearted donors have helped the MWH to help the most vulnerable women in society. Team MWH, led by co-ordinator Najma Ebrahim have provided Muslim girls or women in crises with a free, confidential listening service, referral to Islamic consultants, as well as providing practical help and information where required.

Lack of support for the Helpline over many years has made it increasingly difficult to deliver an effective provision of service to the community. The nature of funding in the UK has changed and the way it is provided is changing and being quite a small organisation - it became too difficult for the MWH to keep up. In essence it became very apparent over Christmas and the New Year that the money just wasn't there and the project just wasn't financially viable anymore. The organisation has been around for almost 20 years and supported many people through difficult times, so it is terribly sad for its users and its staff, who worked so hard to keep it going.

For what a blokes perspective is worth, I'm disgusted, angry and disappointed with the support of the community, and yes that includes me. Sure the grant application failed, but what a time for the community to start auditioning for the remake of Scrooge. Old Ebeneezer and Joseph Marley must be splitting their sides with laughter. The community needs to awaken from its slumber and recognise the significant impact the MWH has had in responding to humanitarian need in the community. In a world in which conflict, suffering and inequality and are still rife, the need to respond with compassion and generosity to the suffering of others resonates strongly within the Muslim faith.

To our detriment and shame, and despite this chronic financial plight Team MWH are committed to carrying on the work albeit in another form in order to support people who are at a very low emotional ebb, who need someone to talk to and share their plight with. This commitment feels me with pride and with pumped up chest I can say that these people make me proud to be a Muslim.

For those who say that there is no need for support services like the MWH, let us take a look at national statistics regarding crimes committed against women. Although domestic violence is chronically under reported, UK Home Office research estimates that it:

  • accounts for 16% of all violent crime (Source: Crime in England and Wales 04/05 report)
  • has more repeat victims than any other crime (on average there will have been 35 assaults before a victim calls the police)
  • costs in excess of £23bn a year
  • claims the lives of two women each week and 30 men per year
  • is the largest cause of morbidity worldwide in women aged 19-44, greater than war, cancer or motor vehicle accidents
  • will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime

The Forced Marriage Unit based at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office deals with around 250 cases a year. This has led to government officials in the UK proposing legislation to make forced marriages illegal. Although an under reported problem, since 2000 the special unit of the Foreign office has dealt with nearly 1200 cases of forced marriage.

 

And what of victims of the increasing phenomenon of honour killings, prostitution and sex grooming? The Muslim Women's helpline is closing down on 31st March 2007. It is time the active participation of the community included active support to help Team MWH achieve their goals. We owe it  to ourselves to support this benevolent service. It's a sad indictment of a sorry plight that things have become so bad before anyone notices. The big question is whether this humble appeal will lead to any individual or group to step up and take necessary action? Can we all look at ourselves in the mirror and say that we did our best. What is more surprising is that Muslims are thriving economically with many earning huge bucks, driving the best cars, living in comfortable abodes, whilst some even have the luxury of a Dubai, Makkah or Marrakech penthouse. First generation Muslims worked longer hours, earned less, often in menial jobs, yet they supported causes with charity. The legacy of their open hearted donations has seen their children thrive like never before, yet the donations of today seem to have dried up.

 

If my memory serves me correctly, it is not movie stars or musicians, nor politicians that have sustained the MWH. It has been sheer blood, sweat and tears. I'm issuing a rallying cry for all readers to dig deep and dedicate a few pounds a month to this benevolent project before it sinks to the bottom of the ocean.

 

Throughout the course of it's existence, the MWH has served the community with great effect. We should honour and acknowledge the efforts of the team and not let their efforts be in vain. Spare the encore, let's get off our lazy derrieres and do something amazing.

 

If you feel that you would like to support the MWH please get in touch with the charity:

Muslim women's Helpline

Registered Charity 1061590

Email: mwhluk.org@btinternet.com